Research Framework 2005-2006

The National Institute for Christian Education Research is dedicated to the development of research and scholarship in the field of Christian education. Research is interpreted  broadly to mean any disciplined inquiry made public.

The Institute is committed to building a collaborative research community comprising all three partner higher education institutions through:

• Designing systematic critical investigations which lead to new knowledge and understandings of Christian educational theory, policy and practice;
• Collaborating with other partners in Christian education – locally, nationally and internationally, to improve policy, professional practice and learning;
• Disseminating the outcomes of Christian educational research for the benefit of all users of education.

The key principles underpinning the Framework are:

The creation of an environment supportive of research and the creation of a collaborative, challenging and supportive community in which research interests are encouraged to develop and flourish.

 

These principles give rise to the following aims:

• To develop a collaborative research culture among partner institutions in conversation with other interested parties.
• To develop research locally, nationally and internationally.
• To engage in research of interest to practitioners, policy makers and to the wider academic community.
• To increase external funding of research.

The aims of the NICER’s Framework will be met in the following ways:

• Shared authorship of research publications will be encouraged.
• The development of research will be monitored through the Advisory
• Board of NICER.
• All research will encourage collaboration across the institutions.
• All research will encourage collaboration nationally and internationally with colleagues from academic and other agencies.
• NICER research will create opportunities for the exchange of ideas about research between policy makers, practitioners and academic colleagues.
• NICER will encourage the publication of research in a variety of forms and media so that it is accessible to a wide range of users.
• NICER aims to provide support to build on current research activities, which might attract external funding and the wider involvement of staff in funded research. Staff with experience of gaining external research funds will provide support and collaborate with others in bidding for funds.