Research as Inquiry

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This Frame deals with using research to fill gaps in knowledge. To extend knowledge questions have to be asked and from those more complex questions arises. This process usually involve debates from various perspectives but it all helps to extend knowledge in that specific field. Students need to realise that the process is not straight forward and can become very frustrating. Data collection requires students to communicate and liaise with the community role players and the recognition of how issues affect the community.  Research methodologies need be employed that will suit the issues being researched.

Knowledge Practices

Students will learn how to formulate and refine research questions based on gaps in information, learn how to determine appropriate scope of investigation, breaking down complex questions and use various research methodologies. They will learn to monitor, organise and synthesize information gathered and then draw reasonable conclusions based on analysis.

Disposition

Students will recognise their own limitations and ask for help when needed. They will seek alternate views and compare it with mainstream views while following ethical and legal guidelines in using the information gathered.

This Frame seem very simple but the process is very important in doing research effectively and accurately. It teaches us that we are all just a link in the world of information gathering. Any information out there both supporting and contradicting our views influence our own knowledge.

Teaching Scenario

Research Question

Investigating  racism between first year students at UWC.

Learning Outcomes

·         Students should be able to formulate proper research questions

·         Students should be able to understand how research issues affect the greater community

·         Aquiring the ablility to handle data gathering on a sensitive topic from a diverse group of      people.

Activities

·         Indicate an additional question arising from the data gathered that you could further investigate as an independent topic.(Disposition :consider research as an open-ended exploration and engagement with information). (Knowledge Practice: formulate questions for research based on information gaps or reexamination of existing, possibly conflicting, information;

·         Design two questionnaires/surveys.: One for students and one for academic staff. Analyse and compare data gathered from the two groups. (Disposition: Seek multiple perspectives during information gathering)

·         Read the two articles provided on racism at other universities. Based on your research   analysis what additional steps could the universities have taken to address and eradicate the problem. ( Knowledge Practice: Use research appropriately to make decisions and take action)

Scholarship is a conversation

The Framework definition: it is communities of scholars in a sustained discourse, where everyone brings some new insight into the scholarly conversation

No idea stands alone and is dependent on what preceded it. Each idea is just one voice of many and there is no single answer as every document may be created as a reaction to other ideas. There are various tools through which to converse as not all participants interact through written texts.

This week we have looked as "Scholarship is a conversation" more closely and I have to say that I understand it a little bit better. It's not just an abstract term hanging in the air. My colleagues seem to grasp the concepts so much easier than I am but it could be that I am very critical and first have to work out the significance of something new in my own mind. I have to say that the support and help I receive from classmates is overwhelming. So this week we have to formulate an assignment for scholars using "Scholarship is a conversation". We have to find a topic, draft 3 learning outcomes ,design 3 activities and show how each activity relates to a "knowledge practice" or "disposition"

So here goes:

Assignment:

Write an investigative report on the advantages and disadvantages of co-ed vs single sex schools. Your report should include:

• Issues of safety (physical, moral, sexual etc.)
• Academic performances of the different genders within the schools.
• Social issues: socialising with the opposite sex in an academic setting. Advantages and Disadvantages.
• Motivation of your thoughts on the topic.

Learning outcomes

• Engage in scholarly conversation
• seek out conversations that are taking place in their area of research.
• Critically evaluate contributions made by others.

Activities

• Find articles on the topic. You should critically analyse the content. Your report should include literature supporting both sides of the argument; pro- and anti co-ed schools. Articulate conflicting perspectives as expressed in various sources (Scholarship as a Conversation
• Your report should include blog posts, journal articles, newspaper articles and social media posts.(Disposition: recognize that scholarly conversations take place in a variety of venues)
• Comment on at least two blogs relating to the topic.(Disposition:see themselves as contributors to scholarship rather than only consumers of it)

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