Pedagogical Research

Pedagogical research is concerned with finding out about how learning takes place, so teachers can direct their energies into approaches which are likely to promote student learning (Reid, 2010).

Pedagogical research

As you try out different approaches to teaching and learning you are likely to ask yourself:

Am I making a difference to student learning?
What do students think about this approach?
How do students use this session to structure their future learning?

All of these questions are the starting point for pedagogical research.

Many types of activity fall under the umbrella of pedagogical research. These include evaluation studies, action research and mixed methods approaches. Projects may be small scale changes in a classroom or larger scale educational interventions across the whole curriculum. Most pedagogical research is carried out in a naturalistic setting and it can be difficult to control various variables without disadvantaging certain student groups.

Mixed methods approaches and quasi-experimental designs can be used to measure and explore the impact of an educational intervention. Whatever the approach, careful study design is necessary to ensure that the philosophical stance and methods are appropriate to the research question / aim.

Reasons why you may wish to engage in pedagogical research may include:

To support student success by ensuring that we know what techniques and approaches are effective in teaching and learning
To identify best practice and evaluate your role as a teacher
To contribute to the body of knowledge about what works in teaching and learning
Career advancement and to contribute as an academic to the Research Excellence Framework

Linking research and teaching

These links are essential as they:

Ensure our teaching and student learning is contemporary, dynamic and grounded in finding answers to real-world problems
Connects an academic’s research and teaching roles in a way which enhances esteem and demonstrates cutting edge discipline knowledge.
Promotes research awareness and opportunities for students to participate and collaborate in research both now and in the future.

A hand holding a pen and the other hand leaning on a clipboard writing

Approaches to linking research and teaching

The following definitions have been provided by Ireland’s National Academy for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning:

Research orientated teaching and learning. This explores ways of knowing sources of knowledge to assist students to underpin practice using research evidence.
Research informed teaching and learning. This teaching method used or the content delivered is informed by relevant research. The evidence base behind concepts should be actively communicated to the student.
Research based teaching and learning. This curriculum contains opportunities and activities through which knowledge is created. This should lead to the development of research aware or research active students.