STEER often explore areas of the student experience because more knowledge is needed. Developing a robust evidence base for decision making is important, and research, using various methods, plays a crucial part.
STEER predominantly utilise social science research methods and apply these to the higher education context. The team have experience in quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, and use creative methods to engage students as participants.
We also recruit and train a large pool of student researchers who work alongside STEER researchers on focused College and institutional projects. Working together with student researchers is one example of how student engagement and research/evaluation overlap both practically and philosophically.
Additional Resources
- Student Guide to Using Evidence – written for student working as researchers, or in positions of academic representation https://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/docs/ethemes/evidence-for-enhancement/guide-to-using-evidence.pdf
- Staff Guide to using Evidence – written for all HE staff we are looking to develop an evidence base to increase knowledge and understanding: https://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/completed-enhancement-themes/evidence-for-enhancement/optimising-existing-evidence/staff-guide-to-using-evidence
- Sage Research Methods – online resources which explain a wide range of methods https://methods.sagepub.com/
- Helen Kara: Creative Research Methods in Education: https://helenkara.com/2021/03/18/creative-research-methods-in-education/