What is good research

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What is good research?

• Lyn Yates
• University of Melbourne

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two questions

• What does good education research look like?!!!
• and
• 2. What does good education research LOOK LIKE?

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The evidence-based agenda

• USA
• No Child Left Behind Act 2000
• Institute of Education Sciences established
• What Works Clearinghouse

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Australia

• Two significant current moves
• Research Quality Framework
• Teacher Education Inquiry
• (both due to report this year)

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Is good research like science?

• If Rip Van Winkle had been a physician, a
  farmer, or an engineer, he would be unemployable
  if he awoke today. If he had been a good
  elementary school teacher in the 19th century, he
  would probably be a good elementary school
  teacher today.
• R. R.Slavin.

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• Why education research is not as straightforward
  as a cure for cancer

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• Education purposes are political
• The object of study changes over time and place
• Research achievements are not judged in their own
  right

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Now, what does good research look like?
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It depends.

• The thesis
• Academic journals
• ARC (Australia Research Council)
• Consultancies and commissioned research
• The press
• Book publishing
• Practitioners

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What is good research?A pragmatic approach

• Who gets to decide?
• What are they looking for?
• What do they go on?