Digital Knowledge and Digital Research: What does eResearch Offer Education and Social Policy?

Abstract

This chapter discusses conceptual and practical links and tensions between research for education and social policy and technology-enhanced research, called eResearch. It argues that significant methodological progress could be made by harnessing the increasing volume and density of digital data and by exploiting opportunities for technology-enhanced research collaboration in educational, social work and social policy research. The chapter introduces key notions relating to digital knowledge and eResearch and explores the roles of digital technologies in the methodological apparatus of social research. To illustrate eResearch applications, the chapter discusses selected examples of data mining and video analysis in educational and social policy research. After a discussion of challenges for eResearch uptake, the chapter suggests that, as a first step, researchers should try to embrace data-driven research approaches and new models of research dissemination.