Examining the epistemology of impact and success of educational interventions using a reflective case study of university bursaries

Harrison, Neil; McCaig, Colin

doi:10.1002/berj.3263

Authors

Neil Harrison

Colin McCaig

Abstract

This paper engages with the continuing emphasis given to evidence-based policy and ‘what works’ approaches in educational research, highlighting some of the continuing epistemological challenges from a post-positivist perspective. To illustrate these, it uses the case of bursaries awarded by universities to improve outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds as an example of an education intervention designed to address structural inequality. The paper then discusses critical reflections arising from a project commissioned by the Office for Fair Access in England which aimed to enable universities to evaluate the impact of the bursaries that they award. These reflections provide a lens to explore the limitations of experimental and quasi-experimental designs in complex social fields. The paper concludes that we lack a strong understanding of the relationship between financial and educational disadvantage prior to and during higher education, and this undermines efforts to ‘prove’ that certain interventions will ‘level the playing field’.

Citation

Harrison, N., & McCaig, C. (2017). Examining the epistemology of impact and success of educational interventions using a reflective case study of university bursaries. British Educational Research Journal, 43(2), 290-309. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3263

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Oct 10, 2016
Online Publication Date	Jan 24, 2017
Publication Date	Apr 1, 2017
Journal	British Educational Research Journal
Print ISSN	0141-1926
Electronic ISSN	1469-3518
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	43
Issue	2
Pages	290-309
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3263
Keywords	evidence; success; epistemology; what works; social justice
Public URL	https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/888661
Publisher URL	http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/berj.3263