So, after the question is formulated, the literature is reviewed, the participants are selected, the data is collected and analyzed, the conclusions are discussed and drawn and the implications are crafted ... what do you do? That's my question as a novice researcher ... what's the next step? Of course, within the context of this class, the next step is class presentation and paper for a grade. But what about as a practitioner who wants to do qualitative research and write up her own study. Then what? Where do I go with what I did? How do i decide which journals to approach? How do I approach them? Who do I turn to for guidance if I'm not a MEd or PhD student?
I strongly believe that student affairs practitioners need to conduct research that they are passionate about and is relevant to their fields. I think that there are so many aspects of education and the educational experience that needs to be addressed and isn't even considered worthy enough to fall on the radar screen for the academic side of the world. I have several other colleagues that are also qualitative research advocates and novices and we just need some help in where to go with what we want to do and accomplish.
Possible course recommendation for EDEA: Taking Your Research Out of the Classroom. I think it would get some strong interest! I'll be the first one to register!
It is a good question - I would write a research brief in an easy to understand format and share it with colleagues.
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