NGRF - UK National Guidance Research Forum

This section allows entry into the range of methods, methodologies and strategies that have been and are currently in use or being considered to study learning at work. It identifies a range of methods in use. It also gives links to the epistemological and theoretical positions that can underpin their use.

Some methods (which are often used in combination)  include:

• Observation (participant/repeat/non-participant)
• Interviewing
• Use of technology (eg email, computer assisted interviewing, video)
• Instruments and tools (eg questionnaires, diaries and learning logs)

A case study approach is often used, which frequently draws upon a mixture of methods.

Consideration also has to be given to:

• Decisions about which methods to use (eg epistemological positions)
• Methods in action (adapting and using methods in context)
• Data handling, reduction, analysis and synthesis (eg validation, tracking, coding, etc)
• Ethical concerns
• Scope of the study (eg longitudinal, snap-shot)

Of course methods are not used in a vacuum. They are used in accordance with theorectical/epistemological perspectives, which can be found under Theoretical bases.