Pedagogic Research in the UK Higher Education Sector

The importance of pedagogy in quality enhanced teaching has led to the emergence of pedagogic research as a discipline over the last decade. Much of this activity is driven by practitioners evaluating learning and teaching within their own discipline and in their own institution. This book explores the key qualitative and quantitative research and data collection methods applied to pedagogic research and identifies the ethical issues that arise. Whilst UK Higher Education Institutions have policies in place for the ethical oversight of research activities undertaken under their auspices, there is variable adherence to these policies with respect to pedagogic research. This book challenges the widely accepted premise that research requires more stringent regulation than other potentially more risky activities in the context of pedagogic research. The book concludes with some recommendations for the way forward for the proportionate, transparent and effective ethical review of pedagogic scholarship and research activity. Whilst this review and analysis is situated within the UK Higher Education sector, the issues will resonate with an international audience.