Lessons from History
This four page POSTnote, from January 2009, considers how evidence from history could contribute to policy-making. It outlines key developments in the use of evidence in policy-making, but claims that historical research is under-utilised. A number of ways forward in this are suggested.
Trends in Research on Teaching and Learning in Schools: didactics meets classroom studies
The resource, a journal article, is an overview of patterns of research in school teaching and learning from the 1920s to the present day. The review is conducted by examining three strands that the author terms the ‘who' (i.e. the teachers and learners), the ‘how' (i.e. pedagogical methodologies), and the ‘what' (i.e. the content taught). For each of the strands, the author discusses the historical patterns of Nordic and Anglo-American research, and highlights what she regards as particul
The Literature Review
Professor Jerry Wellington provides a commentary on a sample chapter on literature reviews from 'How to do your Research Project' by Gary Thomas. Everyone who undertakes a research project, however small and bounded by the context of one's own school or college, should take account of what has been done before. To jump straight into a study without embedding one's project in previous work is to be a kind of ‘jack in the box' in the research world. A similar analogy would be the folly of buildi
Effective Classroom Practice: A mixed-method study of influences and outcomes
This is the full research report of a two-year mixed method study funded by the ESRC into effective classroom practice in both the primary and secondary phases of schooling. This research, which was undertaken between 2006 and 2008 by a team at the University of Nottingham, built on an existing longitudinal four-year research project involving 80 teachers, and aimed to draw out the key factors that contribute to effective teaching.
How Young People Formulate their Views about the Future: Exploratory Research
This is a 77 page 'exploratory research' report relating to the perceptions and views of year 7 pupils during 2008–2009 about their future education, careers and aspirations, and the factors which shape their thinking. These pupils will be amongst the first cohort to be affected by the raising of the educational participation age (RPA) to 17 in 2013. They will also be amongst the first pupils to be offered the maximum choice of available diplomas.
Without the Golden Handcuffs: Identity and belonging in challenging schools
This paper was first presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference in 2009. The paper is part of the doctoral research conducted by Jo McIntyre at the University of Nottingham. The research was based in three schools in the Midlands which are within socially deprived areas, exploring the reasons why twenty teachers within challenging areas and schools have chosen to embed their professional careers within these settings. It seeks to establish their motivations for t
8 Paired samples T-Tests
Handling statistical data is an essential part of psychological research. However, many people find the idea of using statistics, and especially statistical software packages, extremely daunting. This unit takes a step-by-step approach to statistics software through seven interactive activities. No statistics software is needed.
Rajiv Kumar
Rajiv Kumar, Director and Chief Executive, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) talks about the future of the WTO from an Indian perspective: Does the failure of the Doha Round mean the death of the WTO?
Pharmaceutical Industry: Origin and Evolution
Tilli Tansey, Professor of History of Modern Medical Sciences, University College London traces the evolution of the modern pharmaceutical industry from the mid nineteenth century to the final decades of the twentieth century. The strong focus on British companies is not exclusive, and a large cast of characters including manufacturers, doctors, scientists and patients are considered. Several themes are explored, including the role of innovation in relation to production technology, marketing an
Is there a healthy future for Big Pharma?
Dr Patterson will review the background to the pharmaceutical crisis and the different ways that companies are approaching the issues. The lecture will review both the research and development and business issues facing the industry and its investors. The Pharmaceutical industry has been through a period of unprecedented growth in the last three decades, fuelled by the advances in biomedical science and an increasingly affluent Western Society. Looking forward, the picture is less rosy with red
Occupational Health and Safety in a Research Setting
Dr Simon Ndirangu, Bioanalytical Laboratory at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya discusses the importance of implementing occupational health and safety standards in research settings. Effective occupational health and safety programmes reduce work related injuries and illnesses, improve morale and productivity and reduce workers' compensation costs. The success of these programmes relies on committed management, adequate risk assessm
Measurement of Drug Levels in Clinical Trials
Dr Simon Ndirangu, Bioanalytical Laboratory at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya describes the basic concepts of pharmacological clinical trials, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The talk goes on to discuss the various methods used and costs involved as well and other important factors to consider as well as addressing some of the challenges faced in Measuring Drug Levels in Clinical Trials.
Setting Up a Laboratory for Clinical Trials in Resource-Poor Settings
Ken Awuondo, Clinical Trials Laboratory Manager for the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya gives an overview of the requirements for setting up a laboratory in resource-poor settings. From logistics planning to infrastructure development to setting up quality systems, this lecture gives a concise overview of the challenges facing laboratories based in resource-poor settings and provides some constructive advice.
The Role of Laboratory in Clinical Trials
Ken Awuondo, Clinical Trials Laboratory Manager for the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya gives an overview of the role of the laboratory in clinical trials. In clinical trials, laboratory tests are used to establish inclusion and exclusion criteria, determine baseline parameters, monitor the safety of the participants and demonstrate the efficacy of the investigational product. The talk wraps up by discussing some of the challenges faci
An Introduction to Clinical Trials
George Warimwe from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya presents an introduction to clinical trials aimed at trial site staff and anyone new to the field. Topics covered include: equipoise and hypothesis, protocol, trial design, comparative effectiveness, pharmacovigilance, ICH-GCP basics, informed consent, essential documents, databases and statistics.
Developing an improved TB vaccine
Dr McShane talks about the University's work in creating an improved vaccine against tuberculosis and she also talks about the urgency of this research
IASFM 11 Conference: Plenary 4
The Voices of the Displaced in Forced Migration Research This podcast was recorded at the bi-annual conference of the International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM). The fourth plenary event began with poetry readings by Mehmet Yashin and Stephanos Stephanides, followed by a panel discussion 'The Voices of the Displaced in Forced Migration Research' chaired by Elzbieta Gozdziak, with Eftihia Voutira, Giorgia Donna, Arild Birkenes and Zachary Lomo as the panelists.
Interview with Oscar F. Gil-Garcaa
In this podcast Oscar F. Gil-Garcia is interviewed about his work on the photographic project 'Guatemalan forced migration: the politics of care in representing refugees'. In this podcast Oscar F. Gil-Garcia is in conversation with Sean Loughna. The photographic exhibition 'Guatemalan forced migration: the politics of care in representing refugees' is a collaboration between photographer, Manuel Gil, and doctoral research student in Sociology, Oscar Gil. It explores the mechanisms of representat
Sudan in the late 1980s: A personal view from the Oxfam Archive
This podcast is the first part of a recording made on 25 August 2005 as part of the Oxfam Archive Oral History project and is an interview with Maurice Herson, he had many interesting and challenging times with Oxfam including working in Sudan in the 80s. This podcast is the first part of a recording made on 25 August 2005 as part of the Oxfam Archive Oral History project and is an interview with Maurice Herson, Editor of Forced Migration Review and previously Deputy Humanitarian Director and He
Rwanda and the Great Lakes: A personal view from the Oxfam Archive
This podcast is the second part of a recording made on 25 August 2005 as part of the Oxfam Archive Oral History project and is an interview with Maurice Herson, he had many interesting and challenging times with Oxfam including in the Great Lakes crisis. This podcast is the second part of a recording made on 25 August 2005 as part of the Oxfam Archive Oral History project and is an interview with Maurice Herson, Editor of Forced Migration Review and previously Deputy Humanitarian Director and He
