Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2015-2016
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project (max 30 words):
Exploring the Artefacts within an Initial Teacher Education Programme
Project Leader:
Distinguished Professor Niki Davis
Host Departments:
School of Teacher Education (STED) & School of Educational Studies & Leadership (EDSL)
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Professor Letitia Fickel
Karyn Dunn
Dr. Jane Abbiss
Assoc Professor Missy Morton
Co-Principal Investigator
Senior Research Assistant
Participant Researcher
Participant Researcher
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project – maximum of 400 words
Note that this information will be published on the web in order to attract student applicants and therefore be
mindful of any Intellectual Property issues
A junior Research Assistant is being sought to support analysis of a large data set of artefacts that have
been collected as part of innovations in the preparation of teachers for primary and secondary schools in
Aotearoa New Zealand. The research project is led by a team of experts in the field of education. The team is
supported by a senior Research Assistant who will collaborate with this student. This research is part of a
larger project over three years, which is in turn part of a national research project.
The question that guides the summer research project is: What affordances and opportunities for
professional learning and development of effective evidence-based teaching practices are generated through
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the implementation of the programme innovations?
The majority of the work will involve documentary analysis of media that have already been archived. This
has the advantage that it may be possible to negotiate flexible working conditions. Although all identifying
information has been removed from the artefacts highly ethical behaviour is expected and required;
educational research demands high vigilance with respect to ethics.
Other tasks are likely to include supporting and collaborating with other members of the research team,
applying software suited to qualitative research, and support for data management.
The experiences and skills are highly relevant to research degrees in many disciplines. Work on this
interdisciplinary research project will result in research skills and experience that is highly transferable to
other fields in the social sciences and arts, including commerce and business.
The research aims to benefit teaching and learning in the University, the nation and teacher education
worldwide. It fits well with UC’s vision to graduate people prepared to make a difference.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
No off campus work
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
No work expected outside office hours; some flexitime may be negotiable.
327/400 words
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research
project – maximum of 100 words.
As a Research Assistant in a team, you will develop qualitative research skills through analysing archived
artefacts for trends and themes. Work to identify innovative characteristics of a teacher education
programme will lead to a deeper appreciation of culture, diversity and inclusion.
Hence, you will gain experience and transferable skills in qualitative research in a project that illustrates the
quality and depth of information available through analysis of a variety of data types. In addition, you will gain
experience in report writing to a publishable standard. An outstanding junior Research Assistant could
become a junior author of a professional publication.
100/100 words
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if
specific courses/experience are necessary.
 A high standard of academic writing, ethics and analytical skills.
 An appreciation of indigenous cultures and values, e.g. Māori.
 An appreciation of the research process, including qualitative approaches. Preference may be given to
applicants who are able to demonstrate this with an assignment(s) or project using a qualitative
methodology.
 Although not required, preference will be given to applicants with some understanding of education
and/or teaching. This may be exhibited by a grade in a relevant University course and/or experience
in supporting learning and teaching of others.
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