PDF (2.29 MB) - British Educational Research Association

RESEARCH INTELLIGENCE Number 76 July 2001
RESEARCH INTELLIGENCE Number 76 July 2001
Another key finding of the project is that addressing educators' problems is a key component in the
Another key finding of the project is that addressing educators' problems is a key component in the
question of the influence of educational research on practice. In order to ensure that educational research
question of the influence of educational research on practice. In order to ensure that educational research
addresses educators needs, policy makers and researchers need information on the areas missing or under-
addresses educators needs, policy makers and researchers need information on the areas missing or underrepresented
in the present research activity as well as an assessment of the present research profile
represented in the present research activity as well as an assessment of the present research profile
against future need. Undoubtedly, the implications of such 'gaps' in the research cannot be fully appreciated
against future need. Undoubtedly, the implications of such 'gaps' in the research cannot be fully appreciated
without a more detailed investigation of the balance of research activity and the needs of practitioners.
without a more detailed investigation of the balance of research activity and the needs of practitioners.
Another important understanding in this context is what drives the researchers' choice of topic. Although
Another important understanding in this context is what drives the researchers' choice of topic. Although
the project does provide some information on the drivers of educational research this is an issue that
the project does provide some information on the drivers of educational research this is an issue that
remains largely unexplained. In the case of postgraduate students, the pattern seems to be driven largely by
remains largely unexplained. In the case of postgraduate students, the pattern seems to be driven largely by
individual choice, based on interest and personal belief about the value of the work. For academics, while
individual choice, based on interest and personal belief about the value of the work. For academics, while
funding and policy clearly have some effect on the choice of research topic and the type of reseorch
funding and policy clearly have some effect on the choice of research topic and the type of research
conducted, the picture is far from clear. Developinga fuller understanding of this part of the research
conducted, the picture is far from clear. Developing a fuller understanding of this part of the research
process is key to strengthening the engagement between practitioner and researcher.
process is key to strengthening the engagement between practitioner and researcher.
1.3.2 The influence of educational research on practice
1.3.2 The influence of educational research on practice
The project documents a more positive attitude to research, since the 1992 review. There is an expectation
The project documents a more positive attitude to research, since the 1992 review. There is an expectation
that policy shifts be supported by research. In contrast, the work in schools is more individualist in nature
that policy shifts be supported by research. In contrast, the work in schools is more individualist in nature
than that cf policy makers and the contact with research, diffuse and ad hoc. Despite this, the studies
than that of policy makers and the contact with research, diffuse and ad hoc. Despite this, the studies
provide extensive evidence that research, through direct involvementand indirect means, has an influence
provide extensive evidence that research, through direct involvement and indirect means, has an influence
on individual educators,
on individual educators.
Individual
Individual
attitudes
attitudes
and
and
beliefs,
beliefs,
and
and
organisational
organisational
cultures
cultures
and
and
structures
structures
are
are
important
important
in
in
the
the
promotion
promotion
of
of
research
research
usage.
usage.
The
The
converse
converse
is
is
also
also
true,
true,
these
these
can
can
act
act
as
as
blocks
blocks
to
to
the
the
use
use
of
of
research.
research.
Even
Even
though
though
positive
positive
attitudes
attitudes
and
and
cultures
cultures
promote
promote
the
the
likelihood
likelihood
of
of
the
the
use
use
of
of
research,
research,
ease
ease
of
of
access
access
to
to
the
the
research
research
information
information
is
is
also
also
important.
important.
While
While
immediate
immediate
application
application
appears
appears
to
to
be
be
a
a
high
high
priority
priority
for
for
practitioners,
practitioners,
the
the
studies
studies
propose
propose
that
that
broader
broader
theoretical
theoretical
understandings
understandings
are
are
essential
essential
for
for
educators,
educators,
policy policymakers makers and andresearchers researchers to to be besuccessful. successful. In Inthis this regard regard both bothpre-service pre-service and andpostgraduate postgraduate studies studies
are are important. important.
In
In
schools,
schools,
links
links
to
to
research
research
are
are
formed
formed
through
through
teacher
teacher
involvement
involvement
in
in
professional
professional
development
development
with
with
a
a
strong strong research research base, base, and andpostgraduate postgraduate research research and andcoursework. coursework. Postgraduate Postgraduate students students do doa alarge largeamount amount
of of educational educational research research in inmainly mainlyapplied applied fields. fields. The Theimportance importanceof ofsuch suchadadhoc hoclinkages linkagesbetween betweeneducators educators
and and research research cannot cannot be beoverlooked. overlooked. Contact Contact between between these these practitioner-researchers practitioner-researchers and anduniversity university
researchers can canonly only increase the the likelihood likelihoodthat that new newresearch research will will address address the the needs needsof ofeducators educators involved involved
in inpolicy, policy, administration and andteaching, teaching, though though on onits its own ownthis this contact contact is isunlikely unlikelyto to give giveany anystrategic strategic
direction to to the the research research effort. effort.
In In the the policy policyarea area there are are more more systematic linkages. Structural arrangements, such suchas asformal formalnetworks networksatat local, state and and national nationallevel, level, and and education consultants in inschool schoolsystems, systems, target target particular particular policy policypriorities priorities
and provide mechanisms mechanismsfor for researchers and and educators to to be be actively activelyinvolved involvedtogether. together. The The networks networksand and
consultants also provide means meansby by which research is is translated into into practical applications applicationsand andoften often promote
its its discussion in in schools. Government funded programmes programmesthat that incorporate strong strong professional development
components or or networks across sectors assist the the translation of of research into into practical applications.
Some recent changes are likely likelyto to affect some someof of these links. One Oneof of these changes changesisisthe the increase increaseinin enrolments in in research based degrees and and away awayfrom from coursework in in postgraduate studies. studies, Another Anotherrelates relates
to to the movement movementof of schools schoolsto to greater self-management. With Withthis this shift, shift, the the levels levelsof of centralised policy policyand and
professional pr-ofessicncl development decline. As As a result some someof ofthe the structural arrangements that that have have promoted promotedthe the
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