"Researching in a Digital Age" workshop

The SSU Mission is: "The pursuit of inclusive and flexible forms of Higher Education which meet the needs of employers and prepare students to succeed in a fast-changing competitive world." Which prompts debate as to whether the research approaches, currently, being utilised are as effective as supposed. Hence, SSU needs to manage a number of tensions: ? as the internet seems to open up potential, Google?s algorithms are both limiting and constraining each person?s view of what?s on the web (BBC, 2012) ? as students seem to face information-overload, SSU Library online resources digital archives enable simple-searching and easier data-mining ? traditional Research Methods don?t, always, translate well to today?s digital world Introductory Overview: An initial, introductory, overview illustrates how, by focusing on the [four-question] Solent Critical Thinking Method but exploring different tactical research approaches: ? even the OED?s research can be challenged (OED, 2013) ? persistent myths, perpetuated within a sector?s literature, can be challenged (Parry, 2012) ? triangulating online newspaper adverts, digitised planning decisions and Google Street View, is the modern way to confirm the evolution of organisations and their sites Discussion and Debate: Each table discusses their own subject-area(s) and shares: ? best-practice on Research Methods ? for modern employer-requirements ? persistent Research challenges - for students / staff Recommendations: Each table develops their themes / ideas, further, into practical recommendations; with potential for embedding enhancements and enrichments ? for: ? Curriculum ? Employability ? Inclusivity ========================================================== BBC 2012 ?More or Less: Cybermetrics and Groundhog Day?, BBC, 18th February Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00np2r3/MoreOrLessCybermetricsandGroundhogDay/ OED 2013 ?OED Appeals: Disc Jockey?, Oxford English Dictionary Available: http://public.oed.com/appeals/disc-jockey/ Parry, B. 2012 ?Postcards From Forgotten Pioneers?, Leisure Studies Association Newsletter - LSA 93, November 2012 (93), pp. 68-72 Available: http://ssudl.solent.ac.uk/2169/