How to get started with pedagogic research (and actually publish it)

Pedagogic research is defined as the study of teaching and learning and the interactions that shape them. It is a key element of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), the practice of researching and reflecting on teaching and learning to improve education and share insights with others.

SoTL is a growing priority in higher education, as it underpins teaching excellence and supports sector-wide improvement in student learning. As such, academics are increasingly encouraged to ensure that their teaching is evidence-based. 

Whether you are considering starting your first pedagogic research project and do not know where to begin, or you want to learn more about the steps involved, the suggestions and tips below will be helpful.

1. Find and shape your project idea

The easiest way to find an idea is to observe and reflect on your own teaching practice. This is an example of an inductive approach. Ask yourself, for example:

• What are the current challenges?
• How are your students engaging with their learning?
• Do they enjoy large lectures or prefer online pre-recorded materials?
• What difficulties do international students face?
• How do students consume content?

A deductive approach begins with the literature. For example, you may have come across a call for future research in a paper, and by exploring it further, identified a knowledge gap. Or perhaps, while studying for a teaching qualification as part of your academic role, you conducted a deeper review of the literature for an assessment and uncovered a topic that deserves further investigation.

It is always worth running your idea by a friendly colleague. Critical friends can be instrumental in helping you refine your idea and ensuring that you are not overlooking an important aspect.

Another option is to join an existing pedagogic project and develop a focused idea within it. For example, the Bristol Institute of Learning and Teaching (BILT) runs “associate projects” on specific themes. By joining one of these, you could propose a research question and work as part of a team. Many universities have similar central institutes, networks, or education research groups that support pedagogic projects and collaboration.

• Spotlight guide: Advice for finding and securing research funding
• Love and money: why the search for funding is like romance
• How exactly does research get funded

2. Make funding work for you 

It might seem intimidating to apply for research funding, but some sources might have fewer hurdles and shorter timescales than might be expected. This can certainly be the case for internal funding. For instance, BILT has small pots of money that require minimal paperwork. Consider sources such as these, because even modest funds can make a significant difference. For example, you can use vouchers to incentivise participation. The same applies to catering for focus groups, which can encourage participation in lunchtime sessions in a more relaxed atmosphere. 

For larger budgets, an external source might be required, such as the British Academy of Management’s research grants. 

3. Work with research assistants

Funds can also pay for student partners, which can further add to a project’s value and attraction. Student partners can assist with recruiting student participants. They can also potentially help with data collection by conducting interviews, running focus groups, or analysing data. This allows you to cut down your workload while supporting students to develop new knowledge and research skills. 

Of course, this requires careful selection of appropriate assistants. You can do this by asking candidates to submit a short expression of interest and perhaps conducting interviews depending on interest and candidate quality.

4. Prepare for ethics approval

Ethics approval protects participants’ rights and underpins credible research, yet delays are common when applicants misunderstand guidelines or submit weak materials. Typical pitfalls include:

• Missing core documents (participant information, consent, instruments)
• Vague aims and methods
• Failure to name and justify data-collection platforms and privacy safeguards
• Poor handling of power dynamics and confidentiality
• Unspecified software for analysis and storage
• Confusion over primary v secondary data and non-subscribed databases
• Absent supervisor sign-off
• Weak plans for secure data storage. 

To streamline approval and uphold high standards:

• Plan early and complete training
• Use standardised embedded checklists that prompt for all necessary attachments (for example, participant information sheets and consent forms)
• Create a repository of approved exemplar applications
• Run workshops on consent, confidentiality and sensitive topics that include case studies
• Issue clear guidance on approved platforms, databases and data-management expectations.

5. Recruit research participants and collect data

Participant recruitment is a crucial step for a successful pedagogic research project. Use your network to ensure you reach the widest possible audience; colleagues may be able to distribute information about the project via online learning portals or to the target audience directly in lectures and seminars. 

Timing is also crucial, so avoid recruiting too close to assessment deadlines, and use different formats. Some students may prefer focus groups to interviews. Avoid interviewing your own students, as they may feel obliged to give positive feedback about the programme, which could distort the findings.

6. Disseminate your research

For business academics, look for journals where your work will resonate, such as the Academy of Management Learning & Education, the Journal of Management Education, the Journal of Marketing Education, or broader higher education titles such as Teaching in Higher Education or Studies in Higher Education. Quality guides such as the Academic Journal Guide, ABDC Journal Quality List and The SCImago Journal Rank Indicator help gauge journals’ reputation, but fit matters more than rank.

Conferences such as the Academy of Management’s Management Education & Development Division, the British Academy of Management’s Knowledge & Learning track, and teaching-focused events run by the Society for Research into Higher Education and the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning offer feedback and networking opportunities. And you can share insights via higher education-focused platforms such as Campus or more general interest publications, such as The Conversation. When submitting, tailor to the outlet’s scope and guidelines, suggest appropriate reviewers where permitted and prioritise fit over prestige.

Getting started with your pedagogic research project may feel daunting, especially if it is new territory. Breaking the process down into clear and manageable steps and seeking support and guidance from more experienced colleagues can make your scholarship journey more manageable. 

Rushana Khusainova is a senior lecturer in marketing, Marios Kremantzis is a senior lecturer in business analytics, Christopher Pesterfield is a lecturer in management and Xiaoting Luo is a lecturer in strategy and international business management; all at the University of Bristol. 

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