An Approach to improving teaching in higher education: A case study informed by the neo-positivist research paradigm
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Methods and Paradigms in Education Research Chapter 5 p.68-87
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- Description: This chapter outlines a case study of the application of the neo-positivist paradigm in the higher education research field. A small scale evaluative study of an attempt to improve teaching and learning provides the case study. The neo-positivist paradigm involves the objective investigation of an aspect of reality, providing provisional, contemporary understanding of patterns and entities. The ways in which this paradigm informed the research desgin, methodology, and the interpretation of results in a small-scale evaulative study are discussed. The study represents an attempt to conduct a rigorous empirical research project that incorporated random allocation to intervention and control groups; pre- and post-intervention measures of teaching and learning and the use of psychometrically sound measurement tools and qualitative data. The ways in which the ontology. axiology and epistemology of the neo-positivist paradigm impacted on the study and its findings are outlined.
Teacher education research and the policy reform agenda
- Authors: Brandenburg, Robyn , McDonough, Sharon , Burke, Jenene , White, Simone
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Teacher Education : Innovation, Intervention and Impact p.1-14
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- Description: Research into teacher education is an Australian government high priority and teacher educators are increasingly called to use research to demonstrate the effectiveness and the impact of their teaching, their programs and ultimately, the impact on student learning. While teacher education researchers endeavour to share their research, their work is often critiqued as being self-serving, small-scale and generally not responsive to government policy directions. This chapter specifically examines these three areas: the research policy context; an examination of the current critique of teacher education research and a critical analysis and discussion of the research conducted by teacher educators within this volume. As evidenced within the chapters, many teacher educators have located their research studies within the current Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group (TEMAG, Action Now: Classroom Ready Teachers, 2014) reform agenda. What the studies also reveal is how reform agendas are taken up by different institutions and the importance of providing the rich contextual discussion of their findings. While the majority of the studies are small-scale, viewed collectively however, they have much to offer the broader education research community. More opportunities for connected small-scale studies that highlight both macro and micro levels of teacher education are recommended. © Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2016.
The work of theory in Ed-Tech research
- Authors: Johnson, Nicola
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Critical perspectives on techology and education p. 35-50
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- Description: Acknowledging the constructivist nature of meaning-making, "theory" means different things to different people (and to scholars). In writing this chapter, I was encouraged by colleagues (my fellow editors Scott and Chris acting as difficult
Building research capacity in gerontology : Experiences and lessons form Australia
- Authors: Bartlett, Helen , Carroll, Matthew
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: The Asian gerontologial experience : Capacity building in social gerontology training and translational research in Asia Chapter 4 p. 76-90
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- Description: Over the past decade, increased policy attention on the consequences of demographic ageing in Australia has led to a more focused research agenda on ageing, greater funding opportunities and raised awareness and recognition of gerontology as an important field of study. Research capacity building efforts in ageing have been considerable and have improved collaboration between the policy, research and service sectors, raising expectations of research funding streams and translation of research into policy and practice. The discourse on ageing has also shifted gradually from a deficit model to focus more on healthy, active or productive ageing, indicating a broader multidisciplinary approach and more positive perceptions of ageing. This shift in focus has enabled social gerontology to flourish in Australia, with a number of ageing research centres having social gerontology streams. While much has been achieved over this period, there are ongoing challenges in sustaining the progress made to date and in building research capacity that has longer-term strategic prospects. This paper outlines Australia’s efforts to build research capacity in gerontology over the past decade, examining key successes and future challenges, with consideration of how this experience may be relevant to Asia.
Defining a research question
- Authors: White, Peta
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Sports injury research Chapter Part 1 : Key issues in epidemiology and methodology p. 3-8
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- Description: 2003008121
Statistics used in effect studies
- Authors: Hayen, Andrew , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Sports injury research Chapter Part 5 : Evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of preventive measures p. 183-196
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The pragmatic approach
- Authors: Donaldson, Alex
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Sports injury research Chapter Part 4 : Developing preventive measures p. 139-156
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- Description: 2003008183
We're here to help: Agencies dealing with apprenticeships in Australia
- Authors: Smith, Erica
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Rediscovering apprenticeship p. 113-124
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- Description: In Australia, approximately 3.5% of the working population is employed in apprenticeships and their newer counterparts, traineeships (both of these are combined under the title of 'Australian apprenticeships'). While apprenticeships were originally intended for young school leavers, they are now open to people of all ages and to part-time as well as full-time workers. The huge growth in numbers, over 300% since the mid-1990s, has been the result of very conscious planning and financial investment by the Australian Government. This paper, using data drawn from a series of research projects, analyses the different agencies that help to promote and manage the apprenticeship system. The paper points out both positive and negative effects of the large numbers of agencies involved.
Assumption interrogation : An insight into a self-study researcher's pedagogical frame
- Authors: Brandenburg, Robyn
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Research Methods for the Self-study of Practice Chapter p. 195-211
- Full Text: false
- Description: 2003008008
Modeling Keynes with Kalecki
- Authors: Richardson, Colin , Courvisanos, Jerry
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Keynes and Macroeconomics After 70 Years: Critical Assessments of The General Theory Chapter p. 99-122
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