Postgraduate Research in Pacific Education: Interpretivism and other trends

Burnett, Gregory and Lingam, Govinda I. (2012) Postgraduate Research in Pacific Education: Interpretivism and other trends. Prospects: A Quarterly Review of Comparative Education, 42 (2). pp. 221-233. ISSN 0033-1538

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Abstract

This article examines research by postgraduate students in education at the University of the South Pacific (USP) between 1968 and 2009. These experienced educators, who later return to their original education sector to influence policy and practice in some way, are producing new knowledge intimately connected to Pacific education systems. The article identifies broad trends in supervision, growth in completed degrees, research area, and national focus, and makes some comparisons with similar research in New Zealand. The article also focuses on how students position their research theoretically, using Lather’s research paradigm typology. The analysis indicates that many of these projects are positioned within an interpretivist paradigm, a few within positivist and emancipationist paradigms, and none at all within deconstructivist paradigms. The authors suggest that a Pacific education system underpinned by socially-critical theoretical perspectives, particularly deconstructive ones, can better respond to the twin challenges of creating universal and equitable access to education and arresting the loss of language, culture, identity, and life skills via rapid globalization.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (FALE) > School of Education
Depositing User:	Ms Shalni Sanjana
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2013 03:37
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2016 03:49
URI:	http://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/6473

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