Empowering Researchers in Further Education - Softcover

Hillier, Yvonne; Jameson, Jill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1858562856 ISBN 13: 9781858562858

Publisher: Trentham Books, 2003

Synopsis

Traditionally regarded as the Cinderella sector, further education (FE) is not yet recognized for its research potential and, if researched at all, tends to be ‘researched on’ rather than proactively enabled to carry out research itself. Although Britain's Learning and Skills Council’s FE and Post-16 sector encompasses around six million learners, four thousand providers and £7.3 billion worth of provision, little research in the sector uses the extensive data-rich client base it serves. Few, if any, in-house research findings inform its professional practice.

The Learning and Skills Development Agency Research Network and LSC Research Centre have begun to address this gap, mapping out a new blueprint for research developments in the sector, and raising a new capacity for in-house FE-focused research. These exciting national developments form the foundation for this book, which builds on the key importance of research to strengthen the role of further education as the main bridging sector between school and higher education at a time of Britain’s increased national investment in raising achievements.

This groundbreaking core text in a new field identifies and constructs a new theoretical framework for a specialist FE research culture, recognizing the unique contribution to research of FE practitioner-researchers. The book identifies good practice in this field through a series of in-depth case studies linked to appropriate and innovative research methods. The theoretical framework outlined links the concept of the critical reflective practitioner with the development of knowledge management techniques specific to Further Education research.

This book will enable its readers to:
1. Recognize the value of undertaking research in their sector
2. Draw upon their current practice to develop research questions
3. Identify appropriate research questions and design appropriate research techniques accordingly
4. Interrogate other research, from associated fields
5. Undertake literature searches and derive information for a variety of sources
6. Use research -- their own or others’ -- to inform their professional practice
7. Have the confidence to create, use and evaluate their sector specific research.

About this title

About the Author:

Yvonne Hillier is Acting Head of Department of Continuing Education, City University and Director, Masters in the Education, Training and Development of Adults in London, England.

Review:

"Pragmatic and inspirational... a valuable and timely book which I wish I had when starting my own research as an FE practitioner. Higher Education Review The strength of the book is its clarity and its specificity to further education in the UK. This however should not preclude it beign used for other learning contexts or internationally. It is a well-written book and is an excellent example of how to demystify research. International Journal of Lifelong Education"

About this edition

• Publisher: Trentham Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1858562856
• ISBN 13: 9781858562858
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 190