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. However we collect data, we must maximise the likelihood that the informationwe get is trustworthy (i.e. reliable and valid). Poor quality data – even largeamounts of it – can never lead to a good quality study.c. The same applies to the analysis of our data. We need to conduct the analysisin a way that gives us confidence in the findings. Some suggestions forenhancing analysis are:■■■■■■■■■■using respondent validationavoid subjective interpretationsusing appropriate statistical testsavoiding poor coding of qualitative dataavoid inferences and generalizations not supported by evidence8■■avoid equating correlation and causes.d. Ethics also needs to be considered when we are doing research in our owncontext. What kinds of ethical issues might arise when we are doing research inour own classrooms?4. Collaborative Teacher ResearchA collaborative approach to teacher research offers various benefits:■■■■■■■■■■■■■■The workload can be shared.A sense of isolation can be avoided.The group creates a community with a shared purpose.Peer support can sustain motivation.Individuals may feel greater responsibility to the group.Data collected from different classrooms on a similar theme can be compared.Group discussions can be more productive in creating ideas about how to takethe research forward.Collaborative work can of course create challenges too. To minimise these it helpsif the group draw up clear guidelines to support their work together.5. Next StepsIf you would like to take the work we have done today forward here are someissues to consider:■■ Decide whether you would like to do an individual or collaborative teacherresearch project on learner autonomy.Teacher Beliefs Autonomy | 269