Research Networks - research methodologies

Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN)

CARN is committed to supporting and improving the quality of professional practice, achieved through systematic, critical and creative inquiry into the goals, processes and contexts of professional work.

Website: http://www.esri.mmu.ac.uk/carnnew/index.php

Centre for Action Research in Professional Practice (CARPP)

Our interest and concern is with approaches to action research which integrate action and reflection, so that the knowledge gained in the inquiry is directly relevant to the issues being studied; and in which there is increased collaboration between all those involved in the inquiry project. Our work aims at helping the individual practitioner develop skills of reflective practice and to help organizational members develop communities of inquiry, as well as contribute to wider understanding of the place of inquiry in the development of professional practice.

Website: http://www.bath.ac.uk/carpp/ or http://www.elrha.org/node/293

National Centre for Research Methods

The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) strategy to improve the standards of research methods across the UK social science community. NCRM was established in April 2004 with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to provide more strategic integration and coordination of ESRC's investment in research methods.

NCRM provides a focal point for research, training and capacity building activities. These activities are aimed at promoting a step change in the quality and range of methodological skills and techniques used by the UK social science community, and providing support for, and dissemination of, methodological innovation and excellence within the UK.

NCRM aims to:

Advance methodological understanding and practice;
Enable members of the UK social science research community to learn about recent developments in research methods and current 'best practice' and to acquire the capacity to use these methods effectively in their research;
Play a strategic role in the promotion of high quality research methodology; and
Enhance the UK international profile in methodological excellence and to ensure that the UK is at the forefront of international developments in social research methodology.

NCRM coordinating Hub is based at the University of Southampton and the nodes are located across various UK universities.

Email: info@ncrm.ac.uk or view their People Page containing contact details by name

Website: http://www.ncrm.ac.uk/

The Grounded Theory Institute

The intent is to establish a network of people - working with, learning, teaching, and doing Grounded Theory. A place online and off to find others interested in or involved in the same or similar fields of research. A gathering, in one place, of resources and information pertaining to Grounded Theory and its use. To this end, we have begun an online forum/database, the intent of which is, not only to create a dialog, post questions and answers on Grounded Theory, but also establish a reference database for all aspects and applications of Grounded Theory.

Website: http://www.groundedtheory.com/

International Institute for Qualitative Methodology (IIQM)

IIQM is an interdisciplinary institute, under the auspices of the Faculty of Nursing, at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The institute was founded in 1998, with the primary goal of facilitating the development of qualitative research methods across a wide variety of academic disciplines. The IIQM also hosts the annual Qualitative Health Research conference, as well as Advances in Qualitative Methods, and the Thinking Qualitatively workshop series. Please visit the website for details.

Website: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/iiqm/

National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools

The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) is one of six National Collaborating Centres for Public Health in Canada. The NCCMT provides leadership and expertise in sharing what works in public health. Our primary target audiences are public health managers and professionals across Canada who promote and facilitate evidence-informed decision making. Our products and services are available and relevant to all public health practitioners, policy makers and researchers. We believe that using evidence to inform public health practice and policy in Canada improves our public health system and, ultimately, the health of all Canadians.

We help you find and use innovative, high quality and up-to-date methods and tools for sharing what works in public health. By working with other National Collaborating Centres (NCCs) and other national and international public health and knowledge translation organizations, we avoid unnecessary duplication.

Evidence-informed public health (EIPH) is the process of distilling, disseminating and using the best available evidence to inform and improve public health practice and policy. Put simply, it means finding, using and sharing what works in public health. The NCCMT helps public health practitioners apply the process of EIPH in their everyday decisions.

Our knowledge management project began in 2008 with a background paper, a conference and an invitational forum. We continue to explore the potential for knowledge management in public health.

We believe that networking builds productive relationships between individuals and organizations, and facilitates knowledge translation. The NCCMT’s DialoguePH network is one way we bring together public health practitioners to share their knowledge and experience.

We believe that collaborating with other public health and knowledge translation organizations is integral to our success. Our current partner organizations are listed on our website. More opportunities for collaboration are welcome.

We are committed to sharing what works in public health. The Registry of Knowledge Translation Methods and Tools is an example of how we do that. The Registry identifies, evaluates and disseminates methods and tools that work. Stories of public health initiatives that have used a method or tool illustrate the importance of sharing what works.

Website: http://www.nccmt.ca/

Research Methods Resources on the WWW

This resource, developed by Mary Sue Stephenson, School of Library Archival and Information Services, University of British Columbia, lists useful online guidance on the following research methodologies: