Creating a research framework fit for a school

We have recently been exploring key questions as we develop a research framework designed to assist both students and staff in building their research skills. This significant project emphasises the fundamentals of the research process, ultimately helping us achieve our goal of instilling confidence and skills in the researchers – and would-be researchers – in our school community.

Research often involves navigating complex pathways, and many flow charts and guides – from the PhD level down – depict these steps in a linear fashion. However, when applied in practice, research can become ‘messy in the middle’ due to the diversity of inquiry types. To address this challenge, the Pymble Institute team has partnered with Conde Library, the College’s secondary school library, to create a streamlined process that guides student research more effectively.

Our framework encompasses essential skills, including information literacy (such as finding and evaluating sources, reading at an academic level, and appropriate referencing) and broader research skills (like qualitative and quantitative methods, ethical considerations, and writing for diverse audiences). We are also focused on defining what research is and how to teach its various skills to learners from Year 4 through to adults.

Part of our mission includes building a multilayered understanding of the researcher’s mindset. This is one grounded in curiosity, critical thinking, and a passion for exploration. We emphasise the importance of persistence when tackling complex challenges and finding authentic and influential ways of communicating findings. This approach prompts us to consider how research skills manifest differently across age groups, including, what research looks like for primary-aged children, adolescents, older students, and adults pursuing postgraduate studies, and what skills require longer time periods to understand and master?

The Pymble Research Framework will address several key areas: Getting Ready to Research, Working with Information, Making Sense of Information, Communicating, and Celebrating and Reflecting. We are excited to announce that our framework is ready for piloting with students, and we invite colleagues in the school research area to collaborate with us in sharing ideas, especially if developing these skills is part of your agenda.

For more information, please contact Spencer Toohey, Library Coordinator – Teaching and Learning, at stoohey@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or Sarah Loch, Director – Pymble Institute, sloch@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.