Researching Learning in Higher Education - Practical Guide for New

In this review of Researching Learning in Higher Education, the bottom line is clear: this is a pragmatic, accessible guide for academics who are beginning to study teaching and learning in universities. Glynis Cousin presents a concise, grounded introduction that addresses why research into higher education matters and how to approach it. The book's single biggest strength is its focus on practical methods and clear explanation of contemporary approaches, making it a useful reference for new lecturers, graduate students and professional developers seeking reliable guidance.

Key Features

• Comprehensive introduction: Offers a clear overview of contemporary approaches to researching university teaching and learning, useful for readers new to the field.
• Practical guidance: Provides step-by-step advice on conducting research in teaching contexts so beginners can move from idea to implementation.
• Designed for academics: Targets lecturers and researchers across disciplines who are conducting or planning classroom- or course-based studies.
• Professional development focus: Serves as a resource for staff developers who support colleagues in starting pedagogical research projects.
• Student researcher utility: Acts as an accessible primer for graduate students seeking an entry point to higher education research.

Who It's For

This book is best for new lecturers, early career researchers and graduate students who need a compact but thorough foundation in researching teaching and learning in higher education. It suits those who want practical, immediately applicable guidance rather than lengthy theoretical treatises, and it works well as a course text for professional development workshops.

Those looking for an exhaustive methodological handbook, advanced statistical procedures, or deep theoretical critiques of higher education research traditions should look elsewhere; the book intentionally fills a gap with a straightforward, basic approach rather than advanced specialist treatment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Accessible writing that lowers the barrier to starting pedagogical research for academics across disciplines.
• Practical, workable methods and advice that can be applied in real university teaching contexts.
• Broad relevance to professional developers and graduate students as a teaching and learning research primer.

Cons

• Not designed as an advanced methodological reference, so experienced researchers may find the level introductory rather than deep.

Specifications

Title	Researching Learning in Higher Education
Author	Glynis Cousin
Scope	Research approaches to teaching and learning in universities
Intended audience	New lecturers, professional developers, researchers, graduate students
Focus	Contemporary, practical methods for higher education research
Use case	Introductory guide for conducting teaching and learning research

Our Verdict

Researching Learning in Higher Education is a valuable, well-focused resource for anyone starting to investigate university teaching and learning. Its practical orientation and clear explanations make it good value for newcomers and professional developers who need a concise, reliable guide to get research projects underway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. The book is written as an accessible, comprehensive introduction aimed at those new to researching higher education teaching and learning.

Will it cover advanced research methods?
No. The emphasis is on basic, practical approaches rather than advanced methodological or statistical detail.

Who benefits most from this title?
New lecturers, graduate students and staff developers will gain the most from its practical guidance and contemporary approach.