Theory in Doctoral Research into Higher Education

Introduced by Dr. Brett Bligh, Dr. Natasa Lackovic and Prof. Paul Trowler who are academics leading modules on the PhD in Higher Education Research, Evaluation and Enhancement.
Index
01:19 The nature of theory and how it can be used in doctoral research
10:36 Tacit theories and making the tacit explicit within research
19:00 Different theories, types of theory and relations between them
The ‘map’ of theories shown here can be found at: hotel-project.eu/sites/default...
31:57 What theory can do in a doctorate
37:34 Theories that we have used: semiotics and national identity formation theories; Goffman’s dramaturgy; activity theory; social practice theory.
Books and articles on theory in research by members of the Department of Educational Research:
Ashwin, P. (2012). How often are theories developed through empirical research into higher education? Studies in Higher Education, 37(8), pp. 941-955. 10.1080/03075079.2011.557426
Ashwin, P. and Case, J. (2012) Questioning theory-method relations in higher education research. Higher Education Research & Development. Vol.31(3), pp. 271-272.
Bligh, B. (2016) Activity Theory. • Activity Theory Tip ...
Bligh, B. and Flood, M. (forthcoming). Instrument or ornament? Actually existing Activity Theory in empirical higher education research. Submitted to Studies in Higher Education.
Bligh, B., and Flood, M. (2015). The Change Laboratory in Higher Education: Research-intervention using Activity Theory. In J. Huisman & M. Tight (Eds.) Theory and Method in Higher Education Research, Volume 1 (pp. 141-168). Bingley: Emerald.
Huisman, J. and Tight, M. (numerous volumes and dates) Theory and Method in Higher Education Research (International Perspectives on Higher Education Research). Bingley: Emerald.
McArthur, J. (2012) Virtuous mess and wicked clarity: struggle in higher education research. Higher Education Research and Development. 31, 3, pp. 419-430.
Tight, M. (2014) Discipline and theory in higher education research. Research Papers in Education. 29(1), pp. 93-110.
Tight, M. (2015) Theory development and application in higher education research: the case of academic drift. Journal of Educational Administration and History. 47, 1, p. 84-99.
Tight, M. (2015) Theory Development and Application in Higher Education Research: tribes and territories. Higher Education Policy, 28, 4, pp. 277-293. (Malcolm has published several articles on different conceptual and theoretical traditions beginning with the phrase Theory Development and Application in Higher Education Research)
Trowler, P. (2012) Wicked Issues in Situating Theory in Close Up Research. Higher Education Research and Development. 31, 3, pp. 273-284.
Trowler, P. (2012) Doctoral Research into Higher Education: Making theory work. E-book or paperback, available on Amazon. www.amazon.co.uk/Doctoral-Rese...
Trowler, P. (forthcoming) PowerPoint through the Practice Lens: Social practice theory and change processes in higher education. Journal TBC.