Research Methods for Pedagogy

Aspects of pedagogy are frequently researched, but the concept itself is poorly understood. More than just teaching and learning, pedagogy is about values, identities, relationships and interactions bounded by context. As such, researchers of pedagogy face the challenge of working out what constitutes pedagogical texts, data or evidence, and how these can be generated and understood. Research Methods for Pedagogy begins by exploring the different conceptualisations of pedagogy and their implications for how it is researched. The authors reflect on how their sociocultural stance on pedagogy influences the methods they choose to focus on in the book. Moving beyond just schools and formal pedagogies into informal and everyday pedagogies, the authors use a range of case studies across educational sectors and cultures to discuss methods for researching pedagogy. Common approaches such as ethnography and action research are included alongside some quantitative and quasi-experimental methods and often less familiar participatory, multimodal and reflective methods. The authors demonstrate the relationships between theoretical stance, pedagogical context and research approach. Finally, the book addresses the complexity of pedagogy research through discussion of particular ethical and relational aspects as it highlights innovations and developments in research methods for pedagogy. Boxed case studies, reflections on real research projects, a glossary of key terms and an annotated list of further reading all help to guide students and scholars through their research design and choice of methods in this area.

Melanie Nind is Professor of Education at the University of Southampton, UK. She is Co-Director of ESRC National Centre for Research Methods and Co-Editor of the International Journal of Research & Method in Education. Alicia Curtin is a Lecturer in the School of Education at University College Cork, Ireland. Kathy Hall is Professor of Education and Head of the School of Education at University College Cork, Ireland.

Acknowledgements Series Editor Preface A Glossary of Research Methods and Approaches Introduction Part I: Conceptions of Pedagogy and Implications for Research Introduction to Part One: Conceptions of Pedagogy and Implications for Research Chapter 1: Pedagogy - Theoretical Perspectives and Methodological Implications Chapter 2: Different Pedagogies - Different Research Methods: Values into Practice Chapter 3: Teasing out Pedagogy: The Art, Craft and Science Part II: Researching Pedagogy in Context Introduction to Part Two: Researching Pedagogy in Context Chapter 4: Researching Pedagogy in Early Childhood Settings: Ethnographic, Multimodal and Chapter 5: Researching Pedagogy in Schools: Methods Focused on Classroom Interaction, Chapter 6: Researching the Everyday and Out-of-School: Research Methods and Innovation Part Three: Researching the Hidden and Hard-to-know Introduction to Part Three: Researching the Hidden and Hard-to-know Chapter 7: Pedagogy as Interaction: Methods for Reflecting on Interaction and Methods Chapter 8: Pedagogy Embodied: Methods of Analysis for Embodied Practice Chapter 9: Pedagogy as Space: Pushing Methodological Boundaries Conclusion References Index