Improving Research Skills with Lean-Agile-based Instruction : Lean-Agile led, Analytics oriented platform for flexible, self-regulated, inclusive learning

Abstract

To achieve better research outcomes, all countries, especially the developing countries, focus on improvement in the research skills of the academia, in particular that of novice students. Research Methods (RM) course is the common first step whereby students gain their initial skills in designing, conducting and reporting research. This research aims to significantly improve the way Research Methods course is taught in higher education settings. As part of this research, this study investigates the following research questions. First, can Lean-Agile practices infused in a Research Methods course help improve the research skills? Second, if so, what kind of customization is needed to make it a) acceptable to the Student Researchers (SRs) and Research Supervisors (RSs), and b) measurable and suitable for learning Research Methods? Finally, is there an additive causal influence on learning efficiency from Lean-Agile methods and Self-regulated learning methods? This research has designed an online educational platform for a Research Methods (RM) course that is infused with novel pedagogical approach / processes, to scaffold their learning processes with analytical solutions and interactive visualizations. The first iteration of this Design Science Research (DSR) commenced with a survey of SRs and RSs in a young university in India, as part of the Relevance Cycle; As part of Rigor Cycle, Systematic & Explorative Literature reviews are underway. Design Cycle to build an MVP based on survey inputs is also in progress; Evaluation Cycle is being planned. This DC paper elaborates on these research processes and identifies a few challenges facing a DSR-based approach.