Searching for gems in the mud: an example of critical reflection on research in education

Article


Midgley, Warren. 2008. "Searching for gems in the mud: an example of critical reflection on research in education." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 4 (1), pp. 14-24.
Article Title

Searching for gems in the mud: an example of critical reflection on research in education

ERA Journal ID39917
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorMidgley, Warren
Journal TitleInternational Journal of Pedagogies and Learning
Journal Citation4 (1), pp. 14-24
Number of Pages11
Year2008
Place of PublicationMaleny, Qld, Australia
ISSN1833-4105
Web Address (URL)http://jpl.e-contentmanagement.com/archives/vol/4/issue/1/article/2804/searching-for-gems-in-the-mud
Abstract

This paper presents a critical autoethnographic reflection upon a study I conducted two years previously. The original study reports on research conducted in two classes at a Japanese university on the students’ attitudes towards different forms of addressing a foreign teacher in a conversational English class. The research incorporated a visualization exercise with a free writing response in an attempt to indirectly investigate student attitudes to various forms of address. The results were inconclusive with respect to the original research objectives, because none of the proposed forms of address were found to be universally acceptable in either class. A report on the research was written, but never published. Two years later, I reflexively interrogated the text of the original report in an attempt to explore the values and beliefs that influenced the design, implementation and reporting of the original research. Thus the original research report became the data for the current study. This paper demonstrates the process I undertook in critically reflecting upon my own research by presenting the original report (written two years ago), providing notes on my critical reflection upon that research, and then discussing the implications of this approach, highlighting the mutability of researcher values and beliefs.

Keywordscritical reflection; education research; forms of address; language teaching; autoethnography
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020441006. Sociological methodology and research methods
390108. LOTE, ESL and TESOL curriculum and pedagogy
470212. Multicultural, intercultural and cross-cultural studies
Public Notes

Author retains copyright.

Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Education
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9y969/searching-for-gems-in-the-mud-an-example-of-critical-reflection-on-research-in-education

Download files


Published Version
Midgley_IJPL_v4n1_2008_PV.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 5294
    total views
  • 1025
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 5
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Informal Language Learning Through Mobile Instant Messaging Among University Students in Korea
Pooley, Aaron William, Midgley, Warren and Farley, Helen. 2019. "Informal Language Learning Through Mobile Instant Messaging Among University Students in Korea." International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning. 11 (2), pp. 33-49. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJMBL.2019040103
Working together: an international collaborative learning project for pre-service teachers
Midgley, Warren, van Rensburg, Henriette and Tamatea, Laurence. 2015. "Working together: an international collaborative learning project for pre-service teachers." Redmond, Petrea, Lock, Jennifer and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Educational innovations and contemporary technologies: enhancing teaching and learning. United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 150-168
Moving towards the effective evaluation of mobile learning initiatives in higher education institutions
Farley, Helen, Murphy, Angela, Todd, Nicole Ann, Lane, Michael, Hafeez-Baig, Abdul, Midgley, Warren and Johnson, Chris. 2015. "Moving towards the effective evaluation of mobile learning initiatives in higher education institutions." Zhang, Yu (Aimee) (ed.) Handbook of mobile teaching and learning. Germany. Springer. pp. 721-740
A faint echo: using fictionalisation to speak the unspeakable
Midgley, Warren. 2014. "A faint echo: using fictionalisation to speak the unspeakable." Midgley, Warren, Davies, Andy, Oliver, Mark E. and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Echoes: ethics and issues of voice in education research. Netherlands. Sense Publishers. pp. 15-23
Mobile learning trends among students in Vietnam
Murphy, Angela, Midgley, Warren and Farley, Helen. 2014. "Mobile learning trends among students in Vietnam." Kalz, Marco, Bayyurt, Yasmin and Specht, Marcus (ed.) 13th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning (mLearn 2014): Mobile as a Mainstream – Towards Future Challenges in Mobile Learning. Istanbul, Turkey 03 - 05 Nov 2014 Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13416-1_18
Exploring a cross-disciplinary research initiative with remote access laboratories: robot RAL-ly as a stimulus for consideration of engineering pathway
Maxwell, Andrew, Noble, Karen, Kist, Alexander A., Fogarty, Roderick, Gibbings, Peter and Midgley, Warren. 2011. "Exploring a cross-disciplinary research initiative with remote access laboratories: robot RAL-ly as a stimulus for consideration of engineering pathway." Al-Abdeli, Yasir M. and Lindsay, Euan (ed.) 22nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2011). Fremantle, Australia 05 - 07 Dec 2011 Barton, ACT, Australia.
Engineering for primary school children: learning with robots in a remote access laboratory
Kist, Alexander A., Maxwell, Andrew, Gibbings, Peter, Fogarty, Roderick, Midgley, Warren and Noble, Karen. 2011. "Engineering for primary school children: learning with robots in a remote access laboratory." Bernardino, Jorge and Quadrado, José Carlos (ed.) 39th SEFI Annual Conference: Global Engineering Recognition, Sustainability and Mobility (SEFI 2011). Lisbon, Portugal 27 - 30 Sep 2011 Lisbon, Portugal.
Overlay network architectures for peer-to-peer Remote Access Laboratories
Kist, Alexander A., Maiti, Ananda, Maxwell, Andrew D., Orwin, Lindy, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Ting, Wu. 2014. "Overlay network architectures for peer-to-peer Remote Access Laboratories." 11th International Conference on Remote Engineering and Virtual Instrumentation (REV 2014). Porto, Portugal 26 - 28 Feb 2014 Piscataway, NJ. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/REV.2014.6784274
The echoes of voice in education research ethics
Midgley, Warren, Davies, Andy, Oliver, Mark E. and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2014. "The echoes of voice in education research ethics." Midgley, Warren, Davies, Andy, Oliver, Mark E. and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Echoes: ethics and issues of voice in education research. Netherlands. Sense Publishers. pp. 1-11
Multiple perspectives on the value(s) of Australian teacher education: dialogical pedagogy for and by domestic and international students and staff members
van Rensburg, Henriette, Temmerman, Nita, Tamatea, Laurence, Midgley, Warren, Dashwood, Ann and Danaher, P. A.. 2011. "Multiple perspectives on the value(s) of Australian teacher education: dialogical pedagogy for and by domestic and international students and staff members." Eckersley, Bill and White, Simone (ed.) 2011 Australian Teacher Education Association Conference (2011 ATEA). Melbourne, Australia 03 - 06 Jul 2011 Melbourne, Australia. Australian Teacher Education Association.
Imagining and reimagining the role of participants in education research: ethics, epistemologies, and methods
Danaher, Patrick Alan, Baguley, Margaret and Midgley, Warren. 2013. "Imagining and reimagining the role of participants in education research: ethics, epistemologies, and methods." Midgley, Warren, Danaher, Patrick Alan and Baguley, Margaret (ed.) The role of participants in education research: ethics, epistemologies, and methods. Abingdon, Oxon. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 1-10
Creativity and collaboration in the education sector
Baguley, Margaret, Midgley, Warren and Kerby, Martin. 2013. "Creativity and collaboration in the education sector." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 8 (1), pp. 53-54. https://doi.org/10.5172/ijpl.2013.8.1.53
A philosophical consideration of qualitative career assessment
McIlveen, Peter and Midgley, Warren. 2015. "A philosophical consideration of qualitative career assessment." McMahon, Mary and Watson, Mark (ed.) Career assessment: qualitative approaches. Netherlands. Sense Publishers. pp. 13-20
A semantic and pragmatic analysis of career adaptability in career construction theory
McIlveen, Peter and Midgley, Warren. 2015. "A semantic and pragmatic analysis of career adaptability in career construction theory." Maree, Kobus and Di Fabio, Annamaria (ed.) Exploring new horizons in career counselling: turning challenges into opportunities. Netherlands. Sense Publishers. pp. 235-247
How do students use their mobile devices to support learning? A case study from an Australian regional university
Farley, Helen, Murphy, Angela, Johnson, Chris, Carter, Brad, Lane, Michael, Midgley, Warren, Hafeez-Baig, Abdul, Dekeyser, Stijn and Koronios, Andy. 2015. "How do students use their mobile devices to support learning? A case study from an Australian regional university." Journal of Interactive Media in Education. 15 (1), pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.5334/jime.ar
Educational Learning and Development: Building and Enhancing Capacity
Baguley, Margaret, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Davies, Andy, De George-Walker, Linda, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren and Arden, Catherine H.. 2014. Educational Learning and Development: Building and Enhancing Capacity. Basingstoke, United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan.
Contemporary capacity-building in educational contexts
Danaher, Patrick Alan, Davies, Andy, De George-Walker, Linda, Jones, Janice K., Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Arden, Catherine H. and Baguley, Margaret. 2014. Contemporary capacity-building in educational contexts. Basingstoke, United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan.
An exploration of access to and use of mobile technologies for learning activities among higher education students
Murphy, Angela, Farley, Helen, Midgley, Warren, Carter, Brad, Lane, Michael and Hafeez-Baig, Abdul. 2013. "An exploration of access to and use of mobile technologies for learning activities among higher education students." Research Colloquia and Showcase 2013. Springfield, Australia 12 - 13 Jun 2013 Queensland, Australia.
Listening to the student voice: how are students really using mobile technologies for learning?
Murphy, Angela, Farley, Helen, Johnson, Chris, Lane, Michael, Carter, Brad, Hafeez-Baig, Abdul, Midgley, Warren, Dekeyser, Stijn, Rees, Sharon, Mitchell, Maxine, Doyle, Joanne and Koronios, Andy. 2013. "Listening to the student voice: how are students really using mobile technologies for learning?" Carter, Helen, Gosper, Maree and Hedberg, John (ed.) 30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2013). Sydney, Australia 01 - 04 Dec 2013
An inverted remote laboratory - makers and gamers
Maxwell, Andrew D., Orwin, Lindy, Kist, Alexander A., Maiti, Ananda, Midgley, Warren and Ting, Wu. 2013. "An inverted remote laboratory - makers and gamers." Lemckert, Charles, Jenkins, Graham and Lang-Lemckert, Susan (ed.) 24th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2013). Gold Coast, Australia 08 - 11 Dec 2013 Brisbane, Australia.
Participants and research method design: the development of narrative discussion group method
Midgley, Warren. 2013. "Participants and research method design: the development of narrative discussion group method." Midgley, Warren, Danaher, Patrick Alan and Baguley, Margaret (ed.) The role of participants in education research: ethics, epistemologies, and methods. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 182-192
An Exploration of Voice in Research
Midgley, Warren. 2014. "An Exploration of Voice in Research ." Midgley, Warren, Davies, Andy, Oliver, Mark E. and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Echoes: Ethics and Issues of Voice in Education Research. Netherlands. Sense Publishers. pp. 123
Understanding best practice in engineering education using the concept of pedagogical content knowledge
Jolly, Hannah, Brodie, Lyn and Midgley, Warren. 2012. "Understanding best practice in engineering education using the concept of pedagogical content knowledge." Mann, Llewellyn and Daniel, Scott (ed.) 23rd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2012). Melbourne, Australia 03 - 05 Dec 2012 Melbourne, Australia.
Walking the labyrinth: a metaphorical understanding of approaches to metaphors for, in and of education research
Midgley, Warren and Trimmer, Karen. 2013. "Walking the labyrinth: a metaphorical understanding of approaches to metaphors for, in and of education research." Midgley, Warren, Trimmer, Karen and Davies, Andy (ed.) Metaphors for, in and of education research. Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 1-9
Robot RAL-ly international - Promoting STEM in elementary school across international boundaries using remote access technology
Maxwell, Andrew, Fogarty, Roderick, Gibbings, Peter, Noble, Karen, Kist, Alexander A. and Midgley, Warren. 2013. "Robot RAL-ly international - Promoting STEM in elementary school across international boundaries using remote access technology." 10th International Conference on Remote Engineering and Virtual Instrumentation (REV 2013): Moving from Design to Innovation and Impact. Sydney, Australia 06 - 08 Feb 2013 Piscataway, NJ. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/REV.2013.6502895
A dialogic approach to capacity-building: an example from a study with Saudi students at an Australian university
Midgley, Warren. 2012. "A dialogic approach to capacity-building: an example from a study with Saudi students at an Australian university." Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H. (ed.) Constructing capacities: building capabilities through learning and engagement. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 69-79
Evaluating our research team's first three years to identify broader strategies for effective and sustainable capacity constructions
Tyler, Mark A., Turner, Michelle, Peel, Karen, Oliver, Mark E., Noble, Karen, Midgley, Warren, McLennan, Brad, McIlveen, Peter, Matthews, Karl J., Jones, Janice Kathleen, Henderson, Robyn, Fogarty, Roderick J., De George-Walker, Linda, Davies, Andrew, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Baguley, Margaret and Arden, Catherine H.. 2012. "Evaluating our research team's first three years to identify broader strategies for effective and sustainable capacity constructions." Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Robyn, Henderson, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H. (ed.) Constructing capacities: building capabilities through learning and engagement. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 256-275
Analysing approaches to constructing capacities
Arden, Catherine H., Baguley, Margaret, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Davies, Andrew, De George-Walker, Linda, Fogarty, Roderick J., Henderson, Robyn, Matthews, Karl J., Jones, Janice, McIlveen, Peter, McLennan, Brad, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Oliver, Mark E., Peel, Karen, Turner, Michelle and Tyler, Mark A.. 2012. "Analysing approaches to constructing capacities." Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H. (ed.) Constructing capacities: building capabilities through learning and engagement. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 4-30
Look who's listening: using the superaddressee for understanding connections in dialogue
Midgley, Warren. 2011. "Look who's listening: using the superaddressee for understanding connections in dialogue." Abawi, Lindy, Conway, Joan M. and Henderson, Robyn (ed.) Creating connections in teaching and learning. Charlotte, NC. United States. Information Age Publishing. pp. 153-163
Constructing and deconstructing binaries in education research
Mander, Alison, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Tyler, Mark A. and Midgley, Warren. 2011. "Constructing and deconstructing binaries in education research." Midgley, Warren, Tyler, Mark A., Danaher, Patrick Alan and Mander, Alison (ed.) Beyond binaries in education research. United States. Routledge. pp. 1-12
Beyond observer and observed in reflexive analysis
Midgley, Warren. 2011. "Beyond observer and observed in reflexive analysis." Midgley, Warren, Tyler, Mark A., Danaher, Patrick Alan and Mander, Alison (ed.) Beyond binaries in education research. United States. Routledge. pp. 34-45
It's becoming a problem: a Saudi husband's thoughts on his wife covering herself in Australia
Midgley, Warren. 2011. "It's becoming a problem: a Saudi husband's thoughts on his wife covering herself in Australia." Dashwood, Ann and Son, Jeong-Bae (ed.) Language, culture and social connectedness. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 75-87
Seeking to understand 'experiences of difference' in discussions with Saudi students at an Australian university
Midgley, Warren. 2010. Seeking to understand 'experiences of difference' in discussions with Saudi students at an Australian university. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland.
Considering collaborations in writing a research book: implications for sustaining a synergistic research team
Tyler, Mark A., Noble, Karen, Midgley, Warren, Henderson, Robyn, De George-Walker, Linda, Danaher, Patrick Alan and Arden, Catherine H.. 2010. "Considering collaborations in writing a research book: implications for sustaining a synergistic research team." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 136-149
The questions of ethics in collaborative research
Henderson, Robyn and Midgley, Warren. 2010. "The questions of ethics in collaborative research." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 104-113
Sustaining and transforming collaborative research: principles and practices
Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A.. 2010. "Sustaining and transforming collaborative research: principles and practices." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 1-12
Seeking superaddressees: research collaboration in a doctoral supervisory relationship
Midgley, Warren, Henderson, Robyn and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2010. "Seeking superaddressees: research collaboration in a doctoral supervisory relationship." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed.
Risky business: capacity-building in collaborative research
Midgley, Warren and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2010. "Risky business: capacity-building in collaborative research." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 25-36
When we are at uni our minds are at home: Saudi students worrying about wives
Midgley, Warren. 2009. "When we are at uni our minds are at home: Saudi students worrying about wives." ISANA 2009: 20th International Education Association Conference. Canberra, Australia 01 - 04 Dec 2009
They are, he is, and I am: different adjustment accounts of two male Saudi Arabian nursing students at an Australian university
Midgley, Warren. 2009. "They are, he is, and I am: different adjustment accounts of two male Saudi Arabian nursing students at an Australian university." Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development. 6 (1), pp. 82-97.
Editors' introduction to special theme issue [of International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning]: Meanings emerging in practice (Part 3)
Cleary, Kaye, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Midgley, Warren, O'Neill, Shirley and Son, Jeong-Bae. 2007. "Editors' introduction to special theme issue [of International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning]: Meanings emerging in practice (Part 3)." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 3 (3), pp. 1-3.
Lost in the wilderness: when the search for identity comes up blank
Midgley, Warren. 2008. "Lost in the wilderness: when the search for identity comes up blank." Henderson, Robyn and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Troubling terrains: tactics for traversing and transforming contemporary educational research. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 183-192