A Practical Guide to Classroom Research

This concise and accessible book is a practical guide to qualitative classroom research, including extended case-studies of real research projects which serve as concrete examples of the advice provided.  It gives a step by step account of how qualitative classroom research can be carried out and completed, with clear sets of guidelines for each stage and key points for consideration highlighted throughout.  It can be read as a comprehensive guide to the research process, from beginning to end or as a resource to dip into to answer specific problems or queries.

It is aimed at all college, university or school-based education students. In addition it is highly suitable for qualified teachers responding to the drive for greater evidence-based teaching in classrooms.   

Introduction: 

1. Becoming a researcher
2. A research report format: having a destination and a route
3. Where to start: with theory or practice?
4. Asking the research question
5. Putting the research question to work: part 1 - developing observation guides
6. Putting the research question to work: part 2 - developing interview guides
7. Writing the research plan
8. Reviewing the research process
9. Organising the research data
10. Analysing the data
11. Evaluating the research report

Appendix 1: A format for structuring the research report

Appendix 2:  Why research in real time matters

Suggested further reading

References

Clive Millar taught English at high schools in Cape Town and in rural Scotland. He became a lecturer at Aberdeen College of Education and at the University of Cape Town, Professor of Education at the University of Fort Hare, and Professor of Adult Education and Director of Extra-mural Studies at the University of Cape Town until his early retirement in 1998. He was invited to introduce a course in classroom research at the Centre for Creative Education in Cape Town and has enjoyed doing this for the last ten years.