ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 The ASEM University HUB: Perspectives and Themes – Mode 2, Action Research and Applied Science Hans Siggaard Jensen Professor, Executive Research Director Learning Lab Denmark/The Danish University of Education
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Models of the use of research 1. Basic research, Applied research, Development 2. Evaluation research – really application of statistics 3. Design and innovation
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Educational research 1. Finding facts and explanations 2. Testing proposed solutions 3. Finding solutions
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Tendencies in the research system Points of agreement concerning the situation of research in todays society - Secularization - Non-monopoly - Networks - ”Contextualization” - Internationalization/De-nationalization
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Tendencies… New conditions for research: - privatizaton - commercialisation - “Triple Helix” phenomena
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 New types of problems and new experiences New fields and functions of research: the example and the lesson from IT research New models for research
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 MODE 1 and MODE 2 Knowledge Production MODE 1 - problems arise and are solved within well- established disciplines, - such disciplines have clear paradigms to work within, - a linear relation is aimed at between theoretical development and practical problem solving, between basic and applied research,
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Mode 1… - there is attempted a homogenous relation between theoretical experience, qualification and practical experience, which means that there should be the possibility of a one-to-one relation between a discipline and a profession, - the concept of quality is internal and oriented towards the discipline and functions via "peers".
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Mode 1… - technology is understood as applied science - technology concerns the relation between man and nature - learning and knowledge production are two distinct processes of different nature, learning is the transfer of knowledge and knowledge production is a sort of discovery or perception
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Mode 1 - value creation takes place through the application of knowledge in products and processes - learning takes two forms in the economy related to the division of labour between performing tasks and planning tasks
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 MODE 1 and MODE 2 Knowledge Production MODE 2 - problems arise and are formulated in the context of application, - the production of knowledge does not take place primarily within the framework of a discipline, but is trans-disciplinary, - communication and application of knowledge takes place in the context of production,
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Mode 2… - the relation between theory, experience and qualification is heterogenous, - the criteria of quality are more dependent on social relevance and utility than on an intra- disciplinary context. - technology is a more or less independent knowledge regime - technology tends to be "second-order" and social
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Mode 2 - learning and knowledge production are seen as two processes closely related, connected to having and developing meaningful experience - knowledge production is related to the transformation of tacit to explicit knowledge - value creation is related not only to the application of knowledge but also to the production of knowledge, and that production takes the form of organizational learning
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Organization 1. Project-organization? 2. Problem-orientation? 3. Interdisciplinarity/transdisciplinarity? 4. Temporary organizations? 5. Networks?
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 Methods 1. Action Research? The function of the experiment and the laboratory 2. Experimental research? Design and evidence 3. Partnerships? The conditions for getting access to knowledge
ASEM LLL Conference May 2, 2005 References Gibbons et. al.: The New Production of Knowledge, Sage, London 1994 Gibbons et. al.: Re-Thinking Science, London 2000