Currently our main focus is finishing the systematic review. We are taking as wide a lens as is practicable here, including in the search research made public via publication in peer-reviewed and other journals, working papers and conference presentations (both via an extensive range of academic databases and a hand search of Irish conferences 2013-14). We have spent a lot of time drafting and refining our protocol. The search terms are now robust and allow for consistency across databases. The inclusion exclusion criteria have yet to be fully tested and may be revised further.
The protocol is below and was shared with National Forum colleagues at a seminar on 17th February. Manolis is now running the searches and extracting results. Feedback on the inclusion and exclusion criteria would be particularly welcome (please click on the email icon above to send us an email, or use the comments box at the bottom of the page). We plan to start screening results at the end of the month.
Protocol
1. Research Question
What are the extent and characteristics of research on teaching and learning in Irish higher education?
2. Search string
Search terms in Title/Abstract/Topic/Key words
Educat*
AND (higher OR “third level” OR tertiary OR “post secondary” OR universit* OR college* OR institut*)
AND (teach* OR learn* OR curricul* OR student OR undergraduate OR postgraduate)
Where databases only allow limited search string (e.g. JSTOR):
Educat*
AND (higher OR “third level”)
AND (teach* OR learn* OR student)
Search terms in Geographic/Address/Location/ Affiliation
a) AND Ireland OR Irish NOT North*
Where that is not an option in database (e.g. JSTOR, ERIC)
Search terms in Title/Abstract/Topic/Key words
b) AND Ireland OR Irish
3. Inclusion/ Exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria
The protocol is below and was shared with National Forum colleagues at a seminar on 17th February. Manolis is now running the searches and extracting results. Feedback on the inclusion and exclusion criteria would be particularly welcome (please click on the email icon above to send us an email, or use the comments box at the bottom of the page). We plan to start screening results at the end of the month.
Protocol
1. Research Question
What are the extent and characteristics of research on teaching and learning in Irish higher education?
2. Search string
Search terms in Title/Abstract/Topic/Key words
Educat*
AND (higher OR “third level” OR tertiary OR “post secondary” OR universit* OR college* OR institut*)
AND (teach* OR learn* OR curricul* OR student OR undergraduate OR postgraduate)
Where databases only allow limited search string (e.g. JSTOR):
Educat*
AND (higher OR “third level”)
AND (teach* OR learn* OR student)
Search terms in Geographic/Address/Location/ Affiliation
a) AND Ireland OR Irish NOT North*
Where that is not an option in database (e.g. JSTOR, ERIC)
Search terms in Title/Abstract/Topic/Key words
b) AND Ireland OR Irish
3. Inclusion/ Exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Research conducted by researchers/authors based in one or more of the 38 institutes of higher education in the Republic of Ireland associated with the National Forum.
- T&L research in Irish education at NFQ level 7 and higher
- Research conducted from 1990 onwards
- Research included in formal online searchable academic databases including EBSCO, Web of Science etc.
- Research focusing on one or more aspects of teaching and learning practice (i.e. not just mentioned in conclusion), including:
- curriculum and programme/curriculum design and review in HE
- transitions to, within and beyond HE
- student experience and student learning in HE
- intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of students in HE
- theories of learning
- completion and retention in HE
- teaching-research linkages
- quality enhancement, assurance and improvement in HE
- professional development and ethics within curricula in HE
- use of institutional data as early warning system for intervention in HE
- academic support services for students in HE
- technology assisted learning
- student workload, assessment and feedback in HE
- diversity within HE
- internationalisation in HE
- internships and community-based learning in HE
- peer and academic mentoring in HE
- HE learning environment
- Research conducted by researchers/authors based in institutes of higher education outside the Republic of Ireland or institutes not associated with the National Forum
- Research on HE in Northern Ireland
- T&L research in Irish education at NFQ level 6 and below
- Research conducted prior to 1990
- Research on topics other than teaching and learning practice including:
- general policy making in HE (T&L policy would be included).
- institutional structures and management in HE
- work practices and workload in HE
- funding of HE institutions
- research funding and prioritisation in HE
- gender bias in HE
- participation rates and grant systems in HE
- non-academic support services in HE
- teacher/academic training and professional development
- reports on KPIs/metrics such as staff:student ratios, academic:admin ratios within HE
- drugs and alcohol use amongst students in HE
- mental health and well-being amongst students in HE
- social life, extracurricular activities and outreach activities of students in HE
- staff retention, motivation and promotion in HE
- Research on religious, moral or spiritual dimensions of education
- Newspaper and magazine articles, book reviews.
- Research published in languages other than English and Irish
- Research not included in online searchable academic databases.