Educational Research Toolkit

At Imperial College London, educational research in STEM contexts has a distinct identity and is gaining increasing significance within the institutional and disciplinary landscape. As a growing number of staff and students are engaging in this field, there is a strong need to develop a central resource hub to support staff and students to conduct educational research within Imperial. Students seldom encounter educational research in their curriculum, and STEM research conducted in the academic faculties typically draws on very different theoretical frameworks. It is evident that both students and staff would benefit from an accessible toolkit that introduces relevant resources and information on how to conduct educational research effectively and ethically.  

This series of resources has been co-created with Imperial students to enhance their relevance and accessibility for the wider Imperial community. Building on existing CHERS resources, this toolkit extends the focus to include advice on the design and application of different research methods. The resources have been quality assured through consultation with staff from EDU and CHERS, and with colleagues across faculties, drawing on wider perspectives and expertise to ensure they are tailored to a broad range of users. By engaging with these resources, Imperial staff and students will be better prepared to plan and carry out educational research, whether embarking on a first project or seeking to refine and refresh existing practices.  

This toolkit is intended as a starting point for staff and students who wish to engage with educational research; it does not aim to be comprehensive or exhaustive. The resources have been designed to offer accessible introductions by sharing practical guidance and examples that can support initial exploration. Where appropriate, we also signpost to other relevant sources for further information and support.  
 
It is important to note that the content and guidance presented in this toolkit should not be interpreted as prescriptive. Educational research projects vary in their aims, focus and scope, and methodological approaches should be tailored to the specific context and nature of each project. For this reason, the toolkit focuses on methods most commonly used in educational research, i.e. individual interviews, focus groups, and surveys, while acknowledging that other approaches, e.g. observations and concept maps, may also be valuable and relevant depending on the research aims and design.

These resources have been designed to be introductory and to support you to develop your research design and skills further, particularly relevant when writing an EERP ethics applications. We also offer structured pathways to help you develop as an educational researcher.

To explore wider opportunities for connection and development, you may find the following resources useful: 

Networks, funding and further resources: 

• Educational Development Unit networks
• Further resources

This series of resources is part of our ongoing work, and we will continue to add and update content over time. If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us.