1. Involvement with Practitioner Research Developing Research and Evaluation Cultures Developing Research and Evaluation Cultures Studying for a Qualification Studying for a Qualification Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

2. Developing Research and Evaluation Culture Careers/Connexions Service Careers/Connexions Service Education Action Zones Education Action Zones PLRI PLRI AimHigher and Widening Participation Teams AimHigher and Widening Participation Teams Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

3. Studying for a Qualification CPDA CPDA Foundation Degrees Foundation Degrees MA - Adult Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL MA - Adult Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL MA - Professional Studies MA - Professional Studies Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

4. What is Practitioner Research? Insider Research Insider Research Action Research Action Research Teacher Researchers Teacher Researchers Evidence-based Practitioners Evidence-based Practitioners Reflective Practitioners Reflective Practitioners Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

5. Why do Practitioner Research? Themselves Themselves The Organisation The Organisation The Wider Community The Wider Community Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

6. Types of Projects Impact/Effectiveness Studies Impact/Effectiveness Studies Feasibility/Development Studies Feasibility/Development Studies Reaction Studies Reaction Studies Insight Studies Insight Studies Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

7. Characteristics of Practitioner Research Problem/Solution Focused Problem/Solution Focused Case Studies - limited resources and good access to specific data Case Studies - limited resources and good access to specific data Provide a contribution to practice rather than theory, and one that is modest Provide a contribution to practice rather than theory, and one that is modest Very influenced by context Very influenced by context Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

8. What is Practitioner Research? Follow the gold standard of full time academic research? Follow the gold standard of full time academic research? A semi-academic exercise? A semi-academic exercise? A professional development exercise? A professional development exercise? A distinct approach to research? A distinct approach to research? Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

9. Academic Research Research viewed as problematic Research viewed as problematic Locate within a research approach or tradition Locate within a research approach or tradition Justify the chosen methods, samples, etc Justify the chosen methods, samples, etc Acknowledge the limitations Acknowledge the limitations Written for (in which order?) academics, policy makers, practitioners? Written for (in which order?) academics, policy makers, practitioners? Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

10. Characteristics of Practitioner Research Approach, theory, methodology - good enough Approach, theory, methodology - good enough Format - accessible and appealing to multiple audiences Format - accessible and appealing to multiple audiences Findings - relatability Findings - relatability Dissemination of findings - challenging Dissemination of findings - challenging Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

11. Role and Value of Practitioner Research Influence on Practice? Influence on Practice? Staff Development? Staff Development? Community Building? Community Building? Contribution to Enlightened, Learning Organisations? Contribution to Enlightened, Learning Organisations? Bridge between the worlds of practitioners and full time researchers? Bridge between the worlds of practitioners and full time researchers? Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

12. Is Practitioner Research Different? Depends on context - whether the practitioner is feels independent or closely linked to an organisation such as a university? Depends on context - whether the practitioner is feels independent or closely linked to an organisation such as a university? If linked to as university linked as what - a student, a mentee, a colleague? If linked to as university linked as what - a student, a mentee, a colleague? Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008

13. Is Practitioner Research Different? Depends on context - if PR is located between the worlds of academic research and practice - what is the nature of the relative gravitational pulls? Depends on context - if PR is located between the worlds of academic research and practice - what is the nature of the relative gravitational pulls? Does Practitioner Research try to fulfil the demands of one world and just be good enough for the other? Does Practitioner Research try to fulfil the demands of one world and just be good enough for the other? Paul Davies, Lancaster University, April 2008