1. National Action Research Network: Researching and Evaluating PDP and ePortfolio Practice
Sue Burkinshaw, University of Bolton
Dr John Peters, NTF
University of Worcester
Rob Ward, Centre for Recording Achievement

2. Issues PDP – a world first sector-wide initiative
Repeated calls for more robust evaluation
[QAA 2001, Burgess 2004, Clegg 2004, Gough et al 2003, Ward & Strivens 2004]
Purposes and claims of PDP clearly defined
Implementation varies in terms of models, methods and emphasis
Situated rich pictures of student experience of implementation needed to illuminate impact on student learning

3. Aims & Objectives
Capacity building amongst PDP practitioners to develop, undertake and share situated, rich, authentic and robust research and evaluation of PDP practice.
Here defined as ‘enhancing people’s awareness and capabilities, individually and collectively, to produce the results they truly care about’ [Senge & Scharmer 2001]
Build on existing practice, expertise, network and ‘community of practice’
Address sector concerns about effective PDP implementation
Provide transferable outputs
Practitioner capacity
Improve knowledge-base

4. Outcomes
A body of scholarly knowledge to inform more effective PDP implementation
Series of dissemination activities
A community of ‘research capable’ PDP practitioners
Engage students as active participants
Link with AGR and CIHE
Enhance international links on PDP

5. Means
Participant / community action research at the meta-level of sharing, developing and undertaking research and evaluation design and outcomes
‘Fostering relationships and collaboration amongst diverse organizations … creating settings for collective reflection that enable people … to ‘see themselves in another’ [and] leveraging progress… through cross-institutional links’ [Senge & Scharmer 2001]

6. The project Network project 16 HEIs 3 regional networks
University of Bolton leadership
Based within CRA network
‘Principal investigator’
National level
4 events: introduction, research design, data gathering, dissemination
Regional level
6 meetings: share & discuss research process
action research cycle & ‘critical friends’
Institutional level
Conduct robust research and evaluation