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| AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH CONSULTANT SERVICES DIVISION ROLES AND FUNCTIONS |
The Consultant Services Division provides professional advice about ACER's research, publications, services and matters related to educational and psychological evaluation. This division is staffed by educators and psychologists specialising in educational and psychological tests, guidance to personnel officers and careers teachers, parent education, teaching resources and research dissemination. The consultants are supported by the resources of ACER.
Consultants are available to give professional advice by letter, telephone or in person. Consultants are available to conduct workshops and seminars for groups of people interested in ACER or some aspect of its services or publications. Consultants also participate in workshops organized by others to provide professional support in areas where ACER's expertise is acknowledged.
Consultants are available to travel interstate by prior arrangement and subject to some budgetary constraints. Consultants welcome invitations to work anywhere in Australia, especially where some assistance can be provided with travel and/or accommodation. A regular program of visits funded by ACER is in operation along with a set of workshops and publications to disseminate information systematically.
Consultative services are initially free, but if a significant proportion of a consultant's time is required for attention to a client's request, a fee for service will be negotiated at professional rates. ACER reserves the right to charge for advice which is used for commercial advantage.
The Consultant Service Division Areas are:
Australian Council for Educational Research
Radford House
Frederick Street
Hawthorn VIC 3122
Telephone (03) 819 1400
| 1987 QIER EXECUTIVE |
| PATRON: | Mr W. Wood |
| PRESIDENT: | Mr R. Warry |
| VICE-PRESIDENT: | Ms J. Borthwick Mrs D. Muir |
| SECRETARY: | Mr N. Cranston |
| TREASURER: | Dr L. Smith |
| ACER REPRESENTATIVE: | Mr R. Warry |
| EXECUTIVE: | Ms J. Hewton Mr P. Robinson Mr P. Varley |
| IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: | Dr J. Cotterell |
| Doing Your Own Search: Basic Descriptive Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities AUTHOR: Eileen Kane DETAILS: Marion Boyars Publishers: London, 1985. 220pp. |
This volume makes a valuable contribution to the variety of materials already available for individuals and/or institutions engaged in research in the social sciences and humanities. In particular, it is intended for use by those with limited previous research experience.
The value of its contribution lies in the fact that the writing is clear, the contents logically and thoughtfully presented and the degree of esoteric jargon kept to a minimum. It is pleasing to see that the author encourages the reader to explore the potential that qualitative descriptive research can make to the investigation and study of educational issues. As Kane comments in the Preface, 'while computer technology has revolutionised the analysis of social research, the collection of meaningful, accurate data is still the foundation of good research'.
Topics explored in the book include:
Despite the generally positive comments one can make about 'Doing Your Own Research', a note of caution must be registered against the expectation or belief that novices can be 'made' into expert researchers by simply picking up and studying volumes such as this one. Experience tends to suggest that input, over and above that in written form from an outsider (for example, an expert 'critical friend'), is likely to contribute substantially to the quality of the research.
With the caution above in mind, 'Doing Your Own Research' can be recommended for those entering the field of social science research with limited experience as well as for those seeking a refresher course in the area. The volume provides a clear and logical presentation of many of the ideas, principles and strategies employed in social science research.
Neil Cranston
Research Services Branch
Department of Education
| Please cite as: QIER (1986). Publication reviews and Notices 2(3). Queensland Researcher, 2(3), 59-62. http://www.iier.org.au/qjer/qr2/bookrevs-notices-2-3.html |