Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
06:48
The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior
Published on: January 19, 2019
Ethnography and staying in your own nest
1School of Nursing, University of Salford, UK.
Nurse Researcher
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Researchers should study their own students, challenging the notion of convenience. This approach requires careful consideration and skill, offering unique research opportunities.
Area of Science:
- Educational Research
- Pedagogical Studies
Background:
- Martin Johnson's 2004 paper questioned the convenience-driven practice of researching one's own students.
- A prevailing view suggests that studying one's own students is primarily motivated by ease of access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the perception of convenience in researching one's own students.
- To advocate for the methodological rigor and value of studying one's own student population.
- To encourage broader adoption of this research approach among educators.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of the convenience argument in educational research.
- Articulating the complexities and skills involved in researching one's own students.
- Presenting a counter-argument to Johnson's 2004 perspective.
Main Results:
- Studying one's own students is not convenient but demands significant skill and thoughtful planning.
- This research approach offers unique insights not easily obtainable through other methods.
- The perceived convenience is a mischaracterization of a complex research practice.
Conclusions:
- The practice of researching one's own students is methodologically sound and valuable.
- Researchers should embrace studying their own students, recognizing its inherent challenges and rewards.
- Further exploration into the benefits of insider research perspectives is warranted.
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