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PIMS - a model providing timely research for research informed policy making?

  • Marilyn Leask
    ,
  • Christina J. Preston
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

International organisations such as the OECD and Unesco now publish comparative data on educational performance and the consequent challenge for any country is to ensure that changes in the education system actually result in improved outcomes. Increasingly the research base for educational practice is scrutinised. However, for educational policy and practice to be evidence based, educational researchers need to provide timely relevant research. This article proposes a model of research using concept mapping with policy makers and practitioners working as co-researchers. The model meets the challenge rapid research for selected topics. It was developed initially for pragmatic reasons in response to a requirement from a UK government agency for rapid research on digital technologies. The acronym PIMS indicates key features of the model: P –policy makers and practitioners are involved as co-researchers I – Intensive data collection takes place with simultaneous debate and analysis in a community of practice context M – multidimensional concept maps (MDCMs) are used to gather and shape ideas created through debate S – standard research methods and tests are used to complement the above. This article reports on the research approach developed and tested out on two research projects funded by a national agency.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 1-32

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Online Educational Research Journal (Volume 2012)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/01/2012

Publication status

Published - 01/01/2012

ISSN

2227-0884

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/223833

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