Thanks for the recommendation, Steve. This is very helpful.

John, we’d be looking for insight in to each part of the research process, including both methods and impact. The proposed format would include the following: 

·        Learning and teaching issue- (this could address themes such as teaching with technology, retention, curriculum, flexible learning, student engagement, students as partners)

·        Method – give details of your methodology, your research methods, your analysis and the number of participants in your action research study. Identify if this was a one cycle or more study.

·        Findings- give a brief account of your main findings

·        Impact: what has changed?

·        Reflection – This can take the form of personal reflections on what you have learned as well as plans for further action research. Advice to others would be a welcome addition.

Given the limited size of the cases, we would include signposting to any more extensive accounts related to the work (where these exist) and author contact details.

Cases should be a cycle in full, just for completeness. We would welcome examples that follow strict cycles as well as slightly ‘messier’ cases (as that is often the reality).

Thanks all,

Lydia  

Thanks for all the responses so far. I'll  get back to everyone later today. 

 

By way of a definition, (very) broadly we've identified action research as being a form of research which is:

• Practical - as it involves making change to practice  

• Theoretical - as it is informed by theory and can generate new insights  

• Collaborative - as it encourages engagement with others in the process

• Reflexive - as it requires practitioner researchers to keep their own knowledge, values and professional activities under review

• Contextual - as it acknowledges institutional, national, historical and societal influences.

 

Throughout the guide we emphasise action research as a 'practice-changing practice’ (Zuber-Skerritt, 2012). For the purposes of the case studies, the scale of that change may vary widely though;  we would welcome small  studies from individual lecturers, librarians, guidance tutors, developers or others who support learning, as well as work undertaken on a larger scale, perhaps at a programme, department or institutional level.

 

Happy to discuss any individual ideas for contributions by email or phone/skype.

 

Thanks and best wishes 

 

Lydia 

 

Dr Lydia Arnold

Educational Developer

Harper Adams University, 
Newport, Shropshire. TF10 8NB.  

[log in to unmask]

(+44) 1952 815137

Skye: lydiaarnold

lydiaarnold.net

@HarperEdDev 

 

 

Zuber- Skerritt, O. (Ed) (2012)  Action research for sustainable development in a turbulent world. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing.

 

 

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From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of MACDOUGALL Margaret [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2017 6:53 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Case studies of action research - call for contributions

Hi Lydia

 

Very many thanks for sharing this call. Could you please also share with the list exactly how you are defining ‘action research’ for the purpose of the publication so that we are clear whether or not we are eligible to respond to the call.   I see that you have given some examples but the definition you are assuming would also help.

 

Best wishes
Margaret

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr Margaret MacDougall
Medical Statistician and Researcher in Education
(Senior Lecturer)
Centre for Population Health Sciences

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Teviot Place
Edinburgh EH8 9AG

Tel:  +44 (0) 131 650 3211
Fax:  +44 (0) 131 650 6909
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/margaret-macdougall

 

 

 

 

 

From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lydia Arnold
Sent: 06 September 2017 17:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Case studies of action research - call for contributions

 

Dear all

 

Professor Lin Norton and I are working with the Higher Education Academy to create a guide to undertaking action research in a higher education setting. This will take the form of a booklet which might be used as a standalone document, or as a stepping stone to the wider literature on this topic. It particularly links the potential of action research with UKPSF and offers practical guidance. The publication is almost complete but we are now hoping to gather some illustrations of how colleagues in different institutions have used action research to enhance learning and teaching. This collection of examples will then be published through the HEA alongside the guide. 

 

We are seeking case studies of action research of between 800-1000 words on a set template. The themes for the case studies are not limited, but may include teaching with technology, enhancing curriculum, flexible learning approaches, advancing institutional strategy and action research as a process of staff development. 

 

If you, or colleagues, would like to contribute a case study or if you would like to discuss an idea for inclusion, please send an email to Lin and myself at [log in to unmask] and [log in to unmask] by 25th September. We will send out the template by return. Completed case studies will be needed by 25th October. 

 

Many thanks 

 

Lydia 

 

 

Dr Lydia Arnold

Educational Developer

[log in to unmask]

(+44) 1952 815137

Harper Adams University,
Newport, Shropshire. TF10 8NB.  

lydiaarnold.net

@HarperEdDev 

 

 

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This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by the Mail Scanner at Harper Adams University and is believed to be clean. The email, and any files transmitted with it, are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the Harper Adams Service Desk (+44 (0) 1952 815555) or notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB T +44 (0) 1952 820280 F +44 (0) 1952 814783 W www.harper-adams.ac.uk