Pedagogic research: a definition

The guiding principles of research into teaching and learning are no different from any other research. The definition by Stenhouse (1975) that research is 'Systematic inquiry made public' still holds and applies to all research, whatever its nature, its scale and whether it is funded or not.

The UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) explains that:

pedagogic research in HE... enhances theoretical and/or conceptual understanding of:

• teaching and learning processes in HE
• teacher and learner experiences in HE
• the environment or contexts in which teaching and learning in HE take place
• teaching and learning outcomes in HE
• the relationships between these processes, outcomes and contexts

(RAE 2005 Annex C)

Of course, the RAE is not the main reason for undertaking pedagogic research.

The purposes of this type of research may differ from those of conventional research. Research into teaching and learning may be undertaken in order to:

• allow the practitioner researcher to enhance their personal understanding of how learning takes place and how different approaches to teaching might facilitate learning (thus developing expertise)
• contribute to the teaching community's knowledge and understanding of the teaching and learning process (a conventional research goal)
• test or develop theory of teaching and/or learning
• evaluate an approach or programme of study
• explore solutions to a problematic aspect of teaching