Developing a Framework for Research in Practice in Adult Literacy
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DEVELOPING A FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH IN PRACTICE IN ADULT LITERACY IN CANADA

A project directed by a national steering committee (see Appendix A), administered by Literacy BC, and funded by the National Literacy Secretariat.

TIMELINE:

April 2005 to September 2006

SUMMARY

Research in practice enriches the research culture of the adult literacy field. It encourages practitioners—instructors, administrators, those working in advocacy—to create and share knowledge in systematic ways. It also opens up opportunities for them to critically reflect on existing knowledge and to apply findings to their practice. Through all these activities, research in practice promotes improvements in practice, informs policy, and contributes to learner success.

Research in practice in adult literacy has been gaining strength and visibility in Canada since 1996. However, there is an unevenness of support and capacity across the country and many practitioners do not have access to opportunities to engage in research in practice. Consequently, there is a need for a strategic framework that will address this disparity and guide future practice and policy. This project will address that need by: (1) conducting an inventory of research in practice in adult literacy in English speaking Canada; (2) making comprehensive recommendations for the further growth and development of research in practice based on the results of the inventory; (3) creating opportunities for practitioners across the country to be part of the development of the framework.

The inventory will collect data at four levels: national, provincial/territorial, community, and individual. The data will identify and describe research in practice events, networks, projects, learning circles, resource people, university connections, type and level of government support, among others. In addition, up to 16 individuals in different parts of the country will reflect on their unique experiences of the supports and barriers that influence their participation or non-participation in research in practice.

The inventory process will contribute to the development of research in practice by taking a participatory approach to the collection and production of data. This approach will: ensure inclusiveness by systematically reaching out to a wide range of people; strengthen and enrich the research results by bringing practitioner knowledge to the fore; facilitate community ownership of the project process and findings; and increase capacity for research in practice by building interest, skills, and hands-on experience.

Process
The project will be directed by a Steering Committee, drawn from a variety of settings and locations. Two coordinating researchers will be hired to collect data at the national level, and provide support and mentoring to the groups and individuals collecting data at the provincial/territorial and individual levels. The individual and provincial/territorial researchers will be selected based on calls for proposals.

Results
The project will result in a final report that includes: (1) an inventory that identifies and describes current research in practice activities at four different levels, and that analyses the conditions necessary to support research in practice; (2) comprehensive recommendations based on the inventory data that provide a strategic framework for future practice and policy.