Practitioner research

Practitioner research is investigation undertaken by practitioners, about practice. Practitioner-researchers are already working in a field, in this case teaching in higher education and they want to explore an aspect of practice in a systematic way. Practitioner research has to be planned to be practically possible, within the practitioner's work setting and within the time constraints of working life. However, because of these factors, the research usually has the potential to influence practice in the work place.

Insider research

Much practitioner research comes under the heading, 'insider research'. This means that the practitioner, as the researcher, has a considerable amount of prior knowledge of the people and circumstances of the study. This may seem anathema to some schools of thought that say the investigator must be an objective outsider otherwise the research may be 'contaminated'.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both perspectives but the positive view is that the prior knowledge of 'insiders' increases understanding and can help them to design studies which are appropriate and relevant to the circumstances and needs of participants and their contexts. Of course, this does not reduce the need for rigor in the design, implementation and analysis of the research and insiders will continue to need to be open and honest in their discussions. The thinking behind the design, the execution and the analysis of the research must always be made explicit.

Insider researchers may benefit from the help of critical friends.