Research in practice – promoting a research

agenda for career practitioners

Dr Lyn Barham and Dr Liz Bradleyboth recent part-time doctoral students

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

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

Social/educational research approaches:Action researchCase studyEthnography‘Open’ interview stylesLife story & narrative(amongst other approaches)

Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

‘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

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

Taken-for-granted assumptions and Professionalism in IAG Practice

Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

Findings

Reflective Practice and Self-reflectionInability or lack of capacity to reflectTools and/or processesTimeFearProfessional stance

Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

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

‘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

Using research

What do you want to find out?

Statistical informationEmpirical evidenceTheoretical perspectives

Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

Locating research findings

Reports, including government websitesBooksAcademic literatureNewsletters and magazinesProfessional places: CDI, AGCAS, iCeGS, NICECGoogle Scholar (advanced search)

Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

CDI support

Getting involved with research yourself

Practitioner researchEmployer-sponsored projectsParticipant in larger studiesSmall-scale fundingAssociation with a research groupPostgraduate/master’s programme

Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley

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

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

CDI – Research in Practice workshop

THANK YOU!

lynbarham@gmail.comEBradley1@uclan.ac.uk

Research in Practice Dr Lyn Barham & Dr Liz Bradley