Undertaking Research into Higher Education: Maximising Quality

INVITED SPEAKER:

PROFESSOR MARCIA DEVLIN

Chair, Higher Education Research

Deakin University, Australia



Monday, 1st December, 2008

10:00 – 11:30am

Conference Hall

School of Humanities

Universiti Sains Malaysia



BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Professor Devlin is inaugural Chair of Higher Education Research at Deakin University. Widely published and a registered psychologist, Professor Devlin’s research interests and expertise span higher education policy, equity, teaching improvement, curriculum development, interdisciplinarity, leadership, assessment, student learning and Indigenous higher education. Prior to her appointment at Deakin University, Professor Devlin was Associate Professor and Director of the Teaching and Learning Unit in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce and Deputy Director of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, both at the University of Melbourne. Recently, she completed two national studies on student finances and student equity.

Abstract



Research into higher education is increasingly gaining momentum. It is vitally important that the highest standards of scholarship possible are applied to each and every investigation that scholars in the field of higher education undertake. As well as being an important aim in itself, the pursuit of high quality research into higher education meets requirements for greater accountability and efficiency in the context of increased student diversity and reduced funding worldwide. The quality of higher education research is dependent on a number of factors and dimensions. These include appropriate preparatory groundwork; the formulation and use of clear research questions; the appropriate use of conceptual and theoretical framework(s); ethical research conduct; the use of relevant and appropriate methods and methodology and choosing the highest quality dissemination outlets. This seminar will discuss each of the components of high quality research.


ORGANISED BY THE ENGLISH STUDIES SECTION,SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, USM



Contact persons:

Associate Prof Dr Sarjit Kaur

04-6533888 ext. 2702

sarjit@usm.my

OR

Associate Prof Dr Shakila Abdul Manan

Programme Chairperson

04-6533888 ext: 3377

shakila@usm.my