Aim

To introduce the nature of evidence in education, key principles of research design and their implications for choice of research methods and project planning.

Objectives

By the end of the workshop, members should be able to:

1. Structure and plan a design for a project that demonstrates a suitable match between the research question, the scale of the study and the proposed methods.
2. Critically review the methodology and reporting of a research report or paper reporting a study.
3. Understand the epistemological difference between research methodologies.
4. Understand some basic statistical methods for analysing data from research projects in education.

Members will also have gained experience of a variety of educational methods including individual work, group work, keynote talks and demonstrations.

Day One	(10.00am - 5.15pm)
Morning	Sessions will cover the nature of evidence in education and the differences between audit, evaluation and research. Several forms of research designs will be outlined, although the two days will focus on experimental, survey, case study and action research designs. The relationship between research questions, research design and ethical issues will be examined. Methods include a keynote, group activities and a plenary session.
Afternoon	Experimental, quasi-experimental and survey designs will be introduced with practical examples of their application to educational projects. Selection and use of appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests will be included with attention also given to issues of piloting, sampling, validity, reliability and generalisation. Methods will include group activities, working in pairs, practical sessions using data sets, keynotes and plenary sessions
Day Two	(9.00am - 4.15pm)
Morning	Case study and action research designs will be introduced. Prior to their arrival, workshop members will have been asked to bring their own suggested projects for this part of the workshop, though we will also have scenarios where these are suitable designs. Workshop members will develop research questions and a research plan for undertaking a study. The morning will principally be devoted to small group activities with a brief keynote and plenary session
Afternoon	Analysing, interpreting and reporting data from case study and action research studies. Issues of truthfulness and transferability will be considered. Methods will include role-play, work in small groups, pairs and concluding plenary.

Staffing

The workshop will be led by three CRMDE colleagues from four named overleaf who combine expertise in clinical practice, research and research training in medical and other areas of education. PTO Dr Alison Bullock BA, PhD, PGCE is a Senior Research Fellow in CRMDE where she leads research and evaluation projects on the education of dentists and medics with a particular interest in the impact of continuing professional development on practice and patient care.

Dr Mike Clapham MSc (MEd) MB BS FRCA is a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia. His educational interests include: the teaching skills of Consultants and SpRs; local assessments; and processes for helping doctors and dentists with/in difficulties.

Professor Hywel Thomas BA, MEd, PGCE, PhD is Director of CRMDE. His research career includes leading more than thirty major projects and smaller studies in the UK and overseas. As Head of the School of Education for ten years to 2003, he led the School to five-ratings in the last three Research Assessment Exercises.

Professor David Wall MB ChB with Honours, PGCE, MMEd, FRCGP, FRCP is Deputy Regional Postgraduate Dean in the West Midlands Deanery, its Head of Education and a GP from 1974 to 2004. His education research interests include evaluation studies, curriculum, teaching the teachers initiatives and educational needs studies.

Accommodation and facilities

• The workshop will be provided in new premises linked at the University of Birmingham specifically designed for continuing professional education
• Residential accommodation will be at Lucas House on the University's Conference Park (48 Edgbaston Park Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2RA)
• A conference dinner will be provided off-campus at a restaurant in Birmingham