Researching Learning Difficulties
A Guide for Practitioners
- Jill Porter - University of Bath, UK
- Penny Lacey - University of Birmingham, UK
The authors recognize that there are tensions, especially the difficulty of validating research on small varied populations in a wide range of schools, community, and other settings. The book will help readers to critically evaluate the implications of research reports for their own practice and will enable them to:
- Access research in learning difficulties, drawing on other disciplines
- Understand different types of research methodology and their strengths and limitations
- Examine the constraints on methodology because of the characteristics of the field
- Understand the particular issues of small-scale research and participatory research
- Explore new methodologies that are developing in the field
'This book is highly recommended and endorsed. It celebrates the diversity of work that is currently undertaken in the field of learning difficulties with a concern to enable people working within different spheres of activity to share something of their work to contribute to the bigger picture.
'As part of an academic, school or staff development resource library this book will aid, stimulate and focus researchers at all levels to hone their selected methods, evaluate results and critically judge qualitative and quantitative data' - Special Children
`This timely book, written in a highly accessible way... provides a coherent basis for users as well as practitioners, of research involving children and young people with learning difficulties' - Ann Lewis, Professor of Special Education and Educational Psychology, University of Birmingham.
This is a welcome text in the fields of both research and learning difficulties. It provides a clear foundation from which researchers can build their understanding of inclusive research with recommendations about additional accessibility considerations that must be considered when conducting research. The historical context for how research in learning difficulties has progressed is also valuable for those new to the fields.
I enjoyed the book, I found it quite a intense layout however. Very good content with some good theories.
A useful introduction to the background issues when conducting research with children with additional needs. One especially useful chapter considers differing perspectives from a range of disciplines and the way that these different perspectives influence research.
An in-depth overview of some of the key issues that an inclusive researcher is likely to face.
A good book to refer to as an introduction for practitioners understanding of research in learning difficulties.
There was nothing else that I was aware of specific to researching pupils with SEN and yet this was something that many students were interested in - this book fills a gap in student need.
