Researching Professional Learning in Complex Environments: Opportunities and Challenges from a Qualitative Research Perspective

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter discusses the contributions in the edited volume Methods for Researching Professional Learning and Development: Challenges, Applications and Empirical Illustrations from a primarily qualitative research perspective. The discussion takes the different methodological challenges or shortcomings that the chapters aim at addressing as a starting point, and moves between the suggested methods to discuss opportunities and limitations. A recurrent challenge is to find adequate ways to approach and delimit work practices within which learning unfolds, especially when work becomes multi-sited, interlinked in network constellations of actors and practices, and possibly black-boxed through the use of various information systems. In these efforts, a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches is needed. This edited volume is a valuable contribution to methodological discussion and awareness, which, through its various chapters, provides condensed introductions to various approaches as well as examples of how the given approach has been used in studies of professional learning or development. A suggested way forward is to establish more strategic connections to other research fields that take an interest in work-related learning and development, such as organisation studies, information system research and infrastructure studies.KeywordsProfessional learningProfessional practiceProfessional expertiseDigitalisationTransformation of workQualitative research