The research-teaching nexus: A case study of students' awareness, experiences and perceptions of research

Healey, Mick; Jordan, Fiona; Pell, Barney; Short, Chris

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of students' awareness, experiences and perceptions of research in a 'new' university in the UK. The findings are based on a questionnaire of almost 200 students and five small group interviews. Many of the students participating in this research perceived clear benefits to their learning from staff research, including being taught by enthusiastic staff, enhanced staff credibility, and the reflected glory of being taught by well-known researchers. However, they also perceived disadvantages, particularly with regard to staff availability, and did not believe that staff research should take priority over their needs as learners. They recognised that their awareness of the nature of research and the development of research skills increased most when they were actively involved in undertaking research projects. Several students also perceived benefits for future employment from their participation in research activities. The questionnaire has been used by several other universities around the world to benchmark their practices. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 1, 2010
• Deposit Date: Dec 7, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: May 17, 2016
• Journal: Innovations in Education and Teaching International
• Print ISSN: 1470-3297
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-3300
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 47
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 235-246
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14703291003718968
• Keywords: research–teaching nexus, research and teaching linkages, student experience, research awareness, experiences and perceptions
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/979368
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14703291003718968
• Contract Date: May 17, 2016