Project Methodology

Four universities are adapting and adopting an approach to explicitly and coherently develop coursework student research skill. The approach is based on the Research Skill Development (RSD) conceptual framework, and has been trialled successfully in several disciplines at the University of Adelaide. This project enables the further evaluation of the RSD approach in different disciplines and universities. Course coordinators will collaboratively develop and implement diagnostic and summative assessments developed according to the RSD framework. Each will also administer pre- and post-implementation student questionnaires concerning attitudes to research, including HDR, and self-assessment of skill development. Quantitative analysis of changes in research skills during a course will inform the choice of individuals and groups of students for interview. Analysis of the resulting qualitative data will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the RSD approach, as well as identifying factors that support or hinder its implementation, at both the discipline and university level. Twice yearly application-based workshops will be run in involved schools and faculties.