Halfway Down the Stairs: Research Approaches

Tutors

Sarah Frodsham is Co-Director of the Graduate School and Chair of Ethics at Oxford Lifelong Learning, Department for Continuing Education.

Alistair Beecher is Co-Director of the Graduate School and a history tutor at Oxford Lifelong Learning, Department for Continuing Education.

About our series of research skills training sessions

In 2024 we launched a trial series of research skills sessions open to postgraduate researchers external to the University and, due to the sucess of these, the sessions have run again each year since.

Each session is independent of each other and can be applied for separately, although a fee reduction is available for anyone applying for all five sessions. 

All sessions can be attended either in Oxford or online.

Learn more about the other individual sessions on offer as part of this series:

• Academic Reading: Approach and Critique 
• Writing an Abstract
• Improving Your Presentations 
• Writing Your Methodology
• Research Interviews: Styles and Techniques
• Postgraduate Research Skills Training Sessions (discounted package) 

Course aims

• Consider how philosophical views relating to ontology and epistemology are demonstrated through the self, different disciplines and through poetry. 
• Come to appreciate how social cultural and historical experiences can inform and shape researchers’ approaches. 
• Apply ontological and epistemological perspectives to personal and contrasting contexts and situations. 

Recommended reading

Essential readings 

• Wellington, J. (2000) Approaches to research in education. In J. Wellington. Educational Research. Contemporary Issues and Practical Approaches. London: Continuum. p.15 – 33. This chapter is an easy read as an introduction to provide an overview of different paradigms, methods and tensions therein.  
• Scott, D., Usher, R. (2011) Philosophical Issues in Educational Research. In D. Scott & R. Usher (Eds) Researching Education. Data methods and theory in educational enquiry. 2E. London: Continuum. p.9 – 25. This chapter provides more historical depth explaining the origins of research paradigms.  

Further readings 

• Thomas, G. (2007) Theory and the Rational mind. In Education and theory: Strangers in paradigms. Maidenhead: McGrawHill/ Open University Press p. 76 – 97. This chapter provides some historical context to explain why and different beliefs ontologically have developed.  

Upon successful completion of this session, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford.

After the session, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Payment

Successful applicants will be emailed an invoice for the training session fees. 

If you register for all 6 sessions a discount of 20% is available. To obtain this discount please apply for the discounted package.

Learn more about the other individual sessions on offer as part of this series:

• Academic Reading: Approach and Critique 
• Writing an Abstract
• Improving Your Presentations 
• Writing Your Methodology
• Research Interviews: Styles and Techniques
• Postgraduate Research Skills Training Sessions (discounted package)

Module code: T26P015GSP

This session is aimed at external postgraduates (those not studying at Oxford University) who are applying for, or are currently enrolled on, a PhD programme.

Applicants must submit a current CV which will allow the course tutors to assess your suitability for this training session.

How to apply

To apply for this session, please select the green ‘apply’ button.

Application deadline

Applications will close at 8am UK time on Wednesday 22 July 2026.

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