ABSTRACT

This book is for anyone who wishes to improve university teaching and learning through systematic inquiry. It provides advice, but also a constructive critique of research methods and, in turn, the authors also make a contribution to the theories of research methodology.

Topics covered include ontology, epistemology and engagement with academic literature, as well as research design approaches and methods of data collection. There is a keen focus on quality in both the analysis and evaluation of research and new models are proposed to help the new researcher. The authors conclude by examining the challenges in getting work published and close with some words on quality of thought and action.

The ideas in the book come from the authors’ extensive experience in teaching research methods courses in higher education, health and the corporate sector, as well as several empirical research projects that have helped provide a methodology for higher education. It will be of particular interest to postgraduate students, academic developers and experienced academics from a wide variety of disciplines.

chapter |10 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|8 pages

The study of higher education

chapter 2|18 pages

Ontology and epistemology

chapter 3|7 pages

Qualitative research approaches

chapter 4|12 pages

Surveys and other quantitative approaches

chapter 5|12 pages

Research methods

chapter 6|10 pages

The single case

chapter 7|7 pages

Research tools

chapter 8|13 pages

Engaging with the literature

chapter 9|13 pages

Qualitative data analysis

chapter 10|11 pages

Evaluating qualitative research

chapter 11|7 pages

Writing for publication

chapter 12|3 pages

Final words