Bay of Plenty Polytechnic

Presenter:

Collaborative Research at the

Subtitled: Ask me about Perth, Br isbane, Hong Kong, S ingapore x 2, Kuala Lumpur, Korea…

Cath Fraser, Kahurangi Learning Centre

NZQA (2010) Definition of Researchhttp://www.nzqa.govt.nz/assets/Providers-and-partners/Registration-and-accreditation/degrees-app-acc.pdf

Research is an intellectually controlled investigation that leads to advances in knowledge through the discovery and codification of new information or the development of further understanding about existing information, and practice. It is a creative, cumulative and independent activity conducted by people with knowledge of the theories, methods and information of the principal field of inquiry andits cognate areas(s). It includes:

- Basic or fundamental research- Strategic research- Applied research- Scholarship- Creative work

Content

• Value of research• Value of collaboration• 4 examples• Librarians’ distinct research positions• How might librarians define research?• Who is our audience? Who might we collaborate with?• Research collaboration considerations• Challenges of collaborative research ventures• Generating ideas• 2 useful models• Process – work-shopping examples

Value of research to library staff

• Research is a core value of most tertiary institutions – PBRF, partnerships, industry and community reporting

• Low visibility & profile of service units – LAs, library• Lack of understanding of modern librarian role• Restructuring, amalgamation & reduction of roles• Untapped funding opportunities• Reliable evidence of effective practices & outcomes • Justification for change• Professional credibility• Career, promotion

Value of collaboration

• Movements towards interdisciplinary research• Limited resources, efficiency. Access to data &

equipment• Networking & relationships – enjoyment!• Complementary skills & strengths• Grow personal & professional capacity, capability –

shared learning• Outcomes – academic (increased publications) &

personal

Kitty & Christine: Harakeke Lace

Kitty – Maori Services & Partnership Librarian,Christine – Tutor: fashion design & machinistOutcomes for Christine: Research skills and experienceAcademic writingTikanga – cultural protocolsFor Kitty:Creativity, rarangaFor BoPPPa HarakekeProgramme development

Shirley, Christine, Ivan & Kaaho – Literacy & Numeracy for Improved Success & Retention

Collaboration between academic support staff & vocational tutors

Embedding foundation study skills in class content as ‘invisible teaching’

Outcomes for staff: New skills and strategies, enhanced practice. Conference presentation

Outcomes for students: Dramatically Improved achievement, high proportion re-enrolled

Justin & Kim: ‘My Culture in My Learning’Kim – Economics lecturer Justin – (Maori) Learning Adviser

Drivers: 1840 Treaty of WaitangBoPP – Te Waka Hourua

Research project: how to Incorporate Maori perspectives into learning about international tradeOutcomes for both staff membersLearning and personal growth – shifts in cultural understanding. Writing & publication.

Cath Fraser & Pam SimpsonOffshore/onshore: the factors influencing international students’ study choices, and how their experiences meet, or differ from, their expectations.

Cath – academic staff; Pam – allied

Outcomes for staff:•Research experience – online surveys and focus groups•NZ and international conference presentations, publicationOutcomes for students:•Greater instit. awareness of drivers & barriers•Free English language classes

Your stories?

Librarians’ distinct research positions

Librarians…• possess diverse, yet complementary, knowledge &

skill sets• bridge the student & tutor/lecturer divide• observe the links between learning, teaching &

research• operate across, beyond or between disciplines• have opportunity to reflect on teaching, learning &

research practices & outcomes

How might librarians define research?

• Experiences• Practices incl. practical skills & techniques• Methods/process models• Reflections• Outcomes• Evaluations• Empirical evidence• Theoretical/literature summarisation & critique

Who is our audience?

• Internal: our staff, line managers, Council & Executive, students

• External: other librarians, educational networks and associations, funding agents

Who might we collaborate with?• Other librarians – internal & external• Other support service providers – LAs, Academic Advisors• Discipline academics• Students

• Topic boundary• Audience/purpose/goals• Collaborators/trust/motivation• Timeframes• Ethical issues• Resourcing• Group management: leadership, task allocation, roles &

responsibilities• Different styles, expectation, consistency of quality• Methods of collaboration/communication• Commitment / drop-out• Dissemination/authorship• Unanticipated hurdles

Let’s generate some ideas

Model 1: process framework for research collaborations

Sargent, L. D., & Waters, L. (2004). Careers and academic research collaborations: An inductive framework for understanding successful collaborations. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 64, 308-319.

Model 2: Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory: 40 questions for team members

http://www.wilder.org/

Getting started

• Shaping the project, identifying the gap• Plan the collaboration – who, what, where, when etc• Funding? Internal / external

- Ako Aotearoa- Lianza awards – Edith Carnell – for travel, Nielsen

BookData Research Award - $4000• Proposal & approval process• Doing the research• Reporting the research