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The variety of methods used in educational
research perhaps exceeds that in any other form of social research.
Much discussion has centered on this variety and the legitimacy
of research emerging from different methodological stables. Rather
than extending this discussion, the seminar series takes as a given
the need for and the legitimacy of a plurality of approaches and
methods and focuses instead on the issue of quality in research
of differing kinds. It takes as its starting point a seeking of
an understanding of commonality and difference in judgements about
quality in research originating in a variety of traditions. How
are judgements in the first place to be made about the quality of
evidence? Is 'quality' of a different character in different domains:
are entirely different measures used, for example, in judgements
of quality about large scale surveys and case studies, or are there
similarities in the way that quality is assessed in such different
kinds of research?
In short, the aims of the seminar series are to:
a) Address the issue of quality in all kinds of educational research
b) Encourage cross -fertilisation on methodological issues and issues of quality by enabling discussion within education and with colleagues from other disciplines and internationally
c) Help to build capacity in educational research
d) Assist dialogue between researchers and users of research in practice and in policy-making
The series will do this by preparing seminars, publications and other dissemination activity that
i) Enable discussion and developmental activity about issues of quality in TLRP and educational research generally
ii) Are available to a wide a range of researchers and users of research in education and allied fields beyond the seminar series
iii) Offer a platform for further development subsequent to the series
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