Developing Research Excellence and Methods

The third and final workshop took place on the 25th April in Edinburgh. The speakers were:

Harry Woodroof’s presentation on horizon scanning - this was really interesting and something I'd like to have a go at. It brought home to me that all updating of research project websites and project blogging I have done could be used by someone doing a horizon scan of information available on the Internet. Follow the above link to see Harry's Power Point presentation plus a summary of the session.

Phil Turner’s presentation on repertory grids - I really enjoyed Phil's presentation which discussed techniques from psychology and could see why you would use a repertory grid interviewing technique for exploration and co-construction. I wasn't really surprised to learn from his research study example My grandfather's iPod: an investigation of emotional attachment to digital and non-digital artefacts that there 'no clear distinctions between attachment to digital and non-digital artefacts'. For me in addition to what is in the artefact that forms the attachment not the medium (e.g. hard backed photo album v an online photo album). Although saying that I think there is also something for me about being able to handle an artefact that gives it a personal attachment value. Follow the links to see Phil's Power Point presentation plus a summary of the session and link to his research example.

The Unconference Half Hour presentations - we had another 5 workshop cadre presenting, this makes a total of 25 (75%) of the cadre that have presented. It's great that the workshop cadre have been given the opportunity to present a synopsis of their research work.  It has also helped facilitate the development of the community as cadre members have contacted each other with resources or information that may help their fellow cadre members with their research. The presentations is also an invaluable experience and challenge for the cadre particularly having to get over your research in just 3 minutes. Of particular interest to my area of research is information literacy so Anthony McKeown's research on 'information and communication poverty' in Northern Ireland and the role of Northern Ireland's public libraries. I look forward to hearing how Anthony's research develops.

Kevin Swingler’s presentation on data mining - was an insight into data mining that is done on a large scale and the staggering costs involved in using software in the process. As one cadre member says it gives you an insight into having a greater understanding as a user of data mining research findings.  Follow the above link to see Kevin's Power Point presentation,  summary and video of the session (the other two presenters did not wish to be recorded by video).

Hazel Hall's workshop task on links between research and impact I took part in this task as part of the Research Fellow group (in between booking taxis and dealing with other workshop matters, apologies to my fellow group members ). It was a great task and really got people talking. I along with my other fellow members where able to use our experience of research particularly relating to research involving practitioners to answer the questions we were posed and supply answers to the group of practitioners that we were subsequently paired up with. Often practitioners are not aware of the parameters that researchers have to work within.

All in all it was another great event. Definitely worth all the effort that went into it.

On  a personal note I was really touched by Hazel Halls thanks and appreciation for the work I had put into helping her co-ordinate and facilitate all three workshops. I certainly have benefited from the work and the workshops and hope the community will go from strength to strength. I'm now working on the 9th July London conference bookings so look forward to seeing familiar and new faces.