Research in practice – promoting a research agenda for career practitioners

1. Research in practice – promoting a research agenda for career practitioners Dr Lyn Barhamand Dr Liz Bradley both recent part-time doctoral students

2. Research is: An attempt to find things out Planned and purposeful It is not: ‘Just’ monitoring or counting Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

3. Research paradigms: Positivist; realist; hypothesis-testing Often using quantitative methods Interpretive; exploratory Mostly using qualitative methods Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

4. Social/educational research approaches: Action research Case study Ethnography ‘Open’ interview styles Life story & narrative (amongst other approaches) Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

5. ‘Anyone’ can do research How to do it in a way that is useful and credible? ✔Formulate good research questions and design appropriate research. ✔Collect data using suitable methods. ✔Analyze qualitative and/or quantitative data using justifiable methods. ✔Critically evaluate your own research and that of other people. Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

6. Over 50s Outreach Pilot: qualitative research 3.12 Summary: Best practice and lessons learned •Marketing methods that more successfully raised awareness and stimulated interest among the target group included newspaper advertisements and radio advertising. •Marketing and outreach that targeted the over 50s interested in work was more effective than general advertising and outreach approaches. •Themed events specifically aimed at people looking for work, training or volunteer opportunities and small group workshops and discussion groups were identified as the most effective outreach approaches. •Information and advice delivered one to one basis, together with direct access to job vacancies produced the most effective customer engagement. •Outreach methods which encouraged links with Age Positive employers worked well at engaging the more job ready. •Meeting individuals over the age of 50 on their own territory and in neutral and accessible venues was highlighted as an important factor for engaging this group. •Using older people as outreach workers worked well in helping to build trust and break down customer barriers. •Outreach approaches based on face-to-face contact and which encouraged a more personalised service were deemed to have worked well in engaging the over 50s. •Practical assistance, including ‘meet and greet’ services, mentoring and hand- holding services were much appreciated by customers over the age of 50. Jones, G. and Griffiths, R. (2006). Department for Work and Pensions Research Report No 401 Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

7. Taken-for-granted assumptions and Professionalism in IAG Practice Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

8. Findings Reflective Practice and Self-reflection Inability or lack of capacity to reflect Tools and/or processes Time Fear Professional stance Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

9. Professional practice ‘who would make a better subject than a researcher consumed by wanting to figure it all out?’ (Ellis, 1991, p. 30) Heuristic research ‘brings to the fore the personal experience and insights of the researcher’ (Patton, 2002, p.107). "by becoming researchers in their own right, they could also be strengthening their effective and reflective practice" (Collin, 2000, p.41) Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

10. ‘Experiencing change in career guidance practice: two stories’ ‘The intention of this research was to represent accurately two stories about how individual practitioners have coped with change and transformation. Whilst there is no imperative to compare and contrast the stories, there are nevertheless some similarities – and some differences’ ‘Their stories … have illuminated transformations in the profession for this writer.’ Mulvey, R. (2006) in Constructing the Future: Transforming Career Guidance (ICG) Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

11. Using research What do you want to find out? Statistical information Empirical evidence Theoretical perspectives Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

12. Locating research findings Reports, including government websites Books Academic literature Newsletters and magazines Professional places: CDI, AGCAS, iCeGS, NICEC Google Scholar (advanced search) Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

13. CDI support

15. Getting involved with research yourself Practitioner research Employer-sponsored projects Participant in larger studies Small-scale funding Association with a research group Postgraduate/master’s programme Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

16. CDI – supporting research and practice What would be helpful to members? A Community of Interest A LinkedIn group Other ‘virtual’ activities Other ideas? Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

17. CDI – developing research to support practice Should CDI have its own research agenda? If so, what are key elements? Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

18. CDI – Research in Practice workshop THANK YOU! lynbarham@gmail.com EBradley1@uclan.ac.uk Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley