Research and Evaluation
Research and evaluation are important aspects of the Centre’s activities, providing opportunities to engage staff in pedagogical research in addition to their subject-related specialisms, as well as generating significant insights into the development of students’ employability, enterprise and leadership skills. Given the cross-institutional dimension of our CETL and its co-ordination through the Learning Development Unit opportunities are also arising for models of change management to be explored.
Our approach to evaluation
Our intention from the outset has been to adopt an appreciative critical enquiry method that focuses on what works and why. Where possible we believe it is important to take a collaborative approach and involve partners in the evaluation process. Whilst the research and evaluation strategy is co-ordinated via the Learning Development Unit, it is those most closely associated with the projects and activities who lead their evaluation and dissemination.
The main purposes of our evaluation strategy are:
- to determine, where possible, the impact of the CETL initiative on stakeholders, including students, staff, employers and community
- to evaluate the effects and effectiveness of the approaches adopted for achieving the CETL’s objectives
- to use evaluation as a developmental tool to review and inform policy and practice and contribute to transforming approaches to learning, teaching and assessment within the CETL and wider University
- to identify outcomes and issues as prompts for further research activities
