Higher Education Research Methodology ─ A Step by Step Guide to the Research Process

This book is for anyone who wishes to improve university teaching and learning through systematic inquiry. It provides advice but also a constructive critique of research methods and, in turn, the authors also make a contribution to the theories of research methodology.

Topics covered include ontology and epistemology, engagement with academic literature as well as research design approaches and methods of data collection. There is a keen focus on quality in both analysis and evaluation of research and new models are proposed to help the new researcher. The authors conclude by examining the challenges in getting work published and close with some words on quality of thought and action.

The ideas in the book come from the authors’ long experiences of teaching research methods courses in higher education, health, and the corporate sector, as well as several empirical research projects that have helped provide a methodology for higher education. It will be of particular interest to postgraduate students, academic developers and experienced academics from a wide variety of disciplines.

Ben Kei Daniel is Associate Professor in Higher Education, at the University of Otago, New Zealand, where he teaches Research Methodology (Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods), and Educational Technology at the University of Otago. He is the convenor for Educational Technology for the University of Otago.

Tony Harland is Professor of Higher Education at the University of Otago. His research interest is in the purposes of a university education. Tony teaches qualitative research methods and other topics such as learning theory, leadership and peer review