IB Research Services available to schools

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IB Research Services available to schools

• Dr James Cambridge
• Head of Research Projects
• IB Research Team
• University of Bath, UK

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Overview of this session

• Who we are
• What we do
• Research services available to schools
• Uses of research
• Discussion and identification of issues for
  future IB research

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Meet the IB research team Part of the
Professional Development and Research Division
Richard Caffyn Head of Research Support
Development
Research Fellows Zhen Yao Anna Simandiraki
James Cambridge Head of Research Projects
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IB Research TeamWhat we do

• To set priorities and build structures to support
  both institutional research (concerned primarily
  with validating the quality claims of the
  organization) and academic research (concerned
  primarily with improving our programmes and our
  understanding of international education) such
  that an agreed and well-understood
  organization-wide research strategy is in place.
• To establish and maintain a range of research
  related services such that effective support is
  given to the emerging community of researchers
  interested in expanding and enhancing discourse
  on and understanding of IB programmes and
  practices and international education in general.
  
• To develop effective policies and procedures such
  that an agreed approach to the management of
  research activity is established and communicated
  and the research efforts of all IBO offices and
  constituencies are well co-ordinated.

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IB research services available to schools

• IB Research website information about research
  throughout IBO
• International Education Research Database free
  online searchable database
• IB Research Notes online publication discussing
  research methodology, formative summative
  outcomes of research projects
• Directory of Practitioner Researchers in
  development
• Inventory of Research Topics in development

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IB Research website
Aims To facilitate appropriate communication of
IB related research outcomes to all stakeholders
and interested parties To provide online services
and resources in support of research in
international education
Future developments To understand the user
expectations of the research website To enhance
interactive functions To adopt new web
technologies to support research projects and
information services
http//www.ibo.org/programmes/research/
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International Education Research Database
http//research.ibo.org
Free searchable database lists over 4,500
citations including references to
chapters in edited books articles in refereed
journals conference proceedings MA, PhD EdD
dissertations and theses
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IB Research Notes
Facilitates communication between
researchers Supports development and
dissemination of research Reviews and highlights
approaches to research Promotes and facilitates
on-going discussion of research issues
http//www.ibo.org/programmes/research/publication
s/notes.cfm
Future developments include making IB Research
Notes more interactive by use of wikis and blogs
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Practitioner Research Project

• Profile of practitioner researchers
• Research being undertaken
• School research cultures
• Support
• Concerns of researchers
• Communication
• Use and effectiveness of IB support systems

LEADING TO DEVELOPMENT OF A DIRECTORY OF
PRACTITIONER RESEARCHERS
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Inventory of research topics

• To track research work done or being done in
  specific areas of interest
• To provide users with quick access to who, what,
  how information on specific areas of
  investigation
• To inform the process of reviewing and
  prioritising research activities abnnd investment

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Examples of research topics

• Continuum transition between IB programmes
• School-based research into entry to HE
• Implementation of IB Learner Profile
• Subject-specific issues, e.g. CAS, Group 4
  project, school-based assessment,
  transdisciplinarity
• Subjects as contexts for international education
• Role of culture in language B courses
• Evaluation of international mindedness.

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Strategy for research topics inventory

• Contacts with Curriculum and Subject Area
  Managers (IBCA)
• Contacts with IB Regional Offices
• Contacts with teachers at IB regional
  conferences
• Contacts with IB World Schools
• Telephone surveys
• Online surveys
• Face-to-face interviews.

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Uses of Research (Rickinson, 2005)
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Typology of uses of research
External audience
Strategic/symbolic
Wider influence
Summative outcome
Formative outcome
Instrumental
Conceptual
Internal audience
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Examples from IBO research