Literacy Research: An Overview (cont'd)

We asked Audrey for her thoughts now on literacy research in B.C.

What is important about action research?

Improvement in practice and professional development are two key aspects stressed by Allan Quigley in his work on action research. Quigley defines action research as a “hands-on” method of research that encourages a “problem-solving” way of seeing our work and enables us to conduct systematic “trial and error” on the job. This practical emphasis helps demystify research and put it within reach. This is important in helping people contribute to building and documenting the knowledge base about our field. .

Research questions can emerge from thoughtful evaluations or program review – results can help orient programs in new directions. Improvements in practice can help provide better learning opportunities for the learners the programs are trying to serve.

What have you done to stimulate activity in research here in B.C.? How did it evolve?

Although I had taught in ABE for five years, and worked in various community ventures for another five years, my entrée to the world of adult literacy per se was through research.

I enjoy solving puzzles, trying to find answers to questions, writing up the process and seeing how patterns emerge. Before obtaining my present government position I was an independent consultant for many years and worked on a number of challenging literacy projects.

A few years ago the National Literacy Secretariat held a policy conversation on research. A follow-up seminar was held in Edmonton in the fall of 1997 and I began to think how, I, as a government employee, could help stimulate or develop a research network. The roundtables and the research days in February and November last year were the results.

Tell us about the link with UBC .

Allison Tom, an Associate Professor in the workshop at the Research Day last fall, which was very well received, so arrangements were made for Allison to be available to practitioners who might need help with developing research proposals for project funding — either through the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC ) or the cost-shared program.

One of Allison’s major research interests is in learning how university researchers can work effectively with community practitioners — including those in literacy. Allison has consented, on a continuing basis, to provide help and counsel to anyone wishing to discuss a literacy research idea. She has provided consultation in the electronic conference on developing research cost-shared proposals, and can be reached on-line and through UBC.

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