All 1 entries tagged Book

Researching Learning in Higher Education by Glynis Cousin

Not necessarily the most thrilling of topics, made fascinating by an author with an engaging style and a depth of personal experience. I read this as background for my PhD research, but have found it to be useful in many unexpected ways. Cousin adopts a pragmatic and relaxed attitude to structure and methodological discipline, much more so than many lesser researchers. Her advice could be summed up as: be creative, think about what you are trying to achieve, tailor methods to match your aims and your context, and most importantly be honest and ethically minded. There's a chapter on ethics, as well as detailled chapters on each methodology - with enough detail to act as a guide book for anyone undertaking research using the methods.

The section on appreciative inquiry (AI) is especially good - I hadn't come across this before, but am instantly attracted to its positive, creative, inclusive and open minded ethos. Cousin qoutes Sloterdijk, a link that I am keen to pursue (and its connection to Latour and the philosophy of design). AI would seem to fit nicely with Design Thinking, combining a variety of modes of activity (discovery, dreaming, designing, destiny) iteratively and reflectively - rather like Design Thinking's 3 spaces (inspiration, ideation and implementation). The aim being appreciate and amplify good practice. AI also emphasises inclusiveness and participation in the design process. I think I am already doing AI as the core method for my PhD research (mixed pragmatically with lots of other approaches).

There's also a really good section on Meyer and Land's "threshold concept" approach, with detailed examples and suggested instructions for how to go about a study (as with the other methods covered).

The chapter on visual methods is also quite inspirational, although it may soon need updating as new technologies become available - Cousin talks about "videotaping"! Old tech already.

Perhaps the most significant effect that this book will have is in highlighting HE research to be full of imagination and creative thinking.

Read this if you teach or support HE teaching, whether you are undertaking a research project or just want to improve your own or your institution's effectiveness.

Robert O'Toole : 09 Oct 2010 19:44 |  Tags: Book Inspiration Research Methods Review |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem