190 pages
228mm x 145mm
ISBN-10: 1 85856 285 6
ISBN-13: 978 1 85856 285 8
October 2003

Traditionally regarded as the 'Cinderella' sector, Further Education is not yet recognised for its research potential and, if researched at all, tends to be 'researched on' rather than proactively enabled to carry out research itself. Although the Learning and Skills Council's Further Education and Post-16 sector encompasses around six million learners, four thousand providers and £7.3 billion worth of provision, little research in the sector uses the extensive data-rich client base it serves. Few, if any, in-house research findings inform its professional practice.

The Learning and Skills Development Agency Research Network and LSC Research Centre have begun to address this gap, mapping out a new blueprint for research developments in the sector, and raising a new capacity for in-house FE-focused research. These exciting national developments form the foundation for this book, which builds on the key importance of research to strengthen the role of further education as the main bridging sector between school and HE at a time of increased national investment in raising achievements.

This ground-breaking core text in a new field identifies and constructs a new theoretical framework for a specialist FE research culture, recognising the unique contribution to research of FE practitioner-researchers. The book identifies good practice in this field through a series of in-depth case studies linked to appropriate and innovative research methods. The theoretical framework outlined links the concept of the critical reflective practitioner with the development of knowledge management techniques specific to Further Education research.

This book will enable its readers to:

recognise the value of undertaking research in their sector
draw upon their current practice to develop research questions
identify appropriate research questions and design appropriate research techniques accordingly
interrogate other research, from associated fields
undertake literature searches and derive information for a variety of sources
use research - their own or others' - to inform their professional practice
have the confidence to create, use and evaluate their sector specific research

Dr Hillier is Acting Head of Department of Continuing Education, City University and Director, Masters in the Education, Training and Development of Adults. Dr Jameson is Director of Lifelong Learning, University of Greenwich and Senior manager of the University in charge of the Lifelong Learning Office, Partnership and Combined Honours Degree Scheme. Both are members of the convening group of the Learning and Skills Research Network for London and South East.

'Pragmatic and inspirational...a valuable and timely book which I wish I had when starting my own research as an FE practitioner' - Higher Education Review

'The strength of book is its clarity and its specificity to further education in the UK. This however should not preclude it being used for other learning contexts or internationally. It is a well-written book and is an excellent example of how to demystify research'. - International Journal of Lifelong Education.