FROM RESEARCH SKILLS TO RESEARCHER’S TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCE

Authors

  • Irena Zogla Rezekne Academy of Technologies (LV)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17770/er2021.1.5421

Keywords:

research skill, researcher’s competence, researcher’s transversal competencies, structure of researcher’s transversal competence

Abstract

Different intellectual traditions imbedded in cultural and education settings and theoretical approaches to the understanding of skills, competencies, and transversal skills bring about many uncertainties in the conceptualization of research skills and competencies; together with the social demands towards the quality of graduates' competencies these draw heavily on the changing process of education, quality of educational provision, and interferes with the quality of the graduates’ achievements. Doctoral students usually face a large number of theoretical sources to analyze and make an appropriate theoretical underpinning of research; they also have to meet the uncertainties, experience incompetence that interferes with the allocated time and quality of investigation. While the shift to competence approach in education is thus more complex than many accounts suggest, it does have major implications for important aspects of studies and educators' work. This article aims to initiate doctoral students' thinking of the cultural background of different intellectual traditions in education and identify the most appropriate theoretical sources for their research. The article does not, however, provide final definitions or completed ideas. Based on the experience of the most popular projects in skills’development and theoretical analysis the published considerations might trigger new problems for doctoral students’ investigation and start their navigation in the enormous pool of literature. The article introduces some approaches to understanding and defining research skills, researcher’s competencies, and researcher’s transversal competencies, their structure, and experiences of measuring.     

Supporting Agencies
Nationally funded projects, Implementation of Transformative Digital Learning in Doctoral Program of Pedagogical Science in Latvia (DocTDLL) Project Nr. lzp-2018/2-0180

References

Abuže, A. (2020). Caurviju kompetences IKT studiju programmās: Ieskats aktuālos pētījumos. Education Reform: Education content research and implementation problems, Volume 1, 5- 14. Doi: https://doi.org/10.17770/er2020.1.5197

Aditomo, A., Goodyeara, P., Ana-Maria Bliucc, A-M., & Robert A. Ellisc, R.A. (2011). Inquiry-based learning in higher education: principal forms, educational objectives, and disciplinary variations. Studies in Higher Education, 1–20. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2011.616584

Ananiadou, K. & Claro, M. (2009). 21st Century Skills and Competences for New Millennium Learners in OECD Countries. OECD Education Working Papers No. 41. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/19939019

Assessment of Transversal Skills. Project (2020). Transversal Skills. Retrieved from http://ats2020.eu/pfiles/41-transversal-skills

ATC21S. (2012). Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills. Retrieved from http://atc21s.org

ATC21S. (2014). Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills. Melburn University. Retrieved from https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/about/citizenship/socio-economic/docs/ATC21S_Exec_Summary.pdf

ATC2020. Assessment of Transversal Skills 2020. www.ats2020.eu

Belyanina, L. (2018). Formation of an Effective Multi-Functional Model of the Research Competence of Students. Handbook of Research on Students' Research Competence in Modern Educational Contexts 17-39. Doi: 10.4018/978-1-5225-3485-3

Blayone, T. (2019). Theorizing effective use of digital technology with activity theory. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, Volume 28, 447-462. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/1475939X.2019.1645728.

Burkhard, D. et al. (2003). EnGauge 21st Century Skills: Literacy in the Digital Age. Retrived from http://pict.sdsu.edu/engauge21st.pdf

Cambridge International Examination for 2018, 2019 and 2020. Retrieved from https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/252230-2018-2020-syllabus.pdf;

Cedefop (2008). Terminology of European education and training policy. A selection of 100 key terms. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

Chalkiadaki, A. (2018). A Systematic Literature Review of 21st Century Skills and Competencies in Primary Education. International Journal of Instruction, 11(3), 1-16. Doi: https://doi.org/10.12973/iji.2018.1131a

Cherner, T. S. & Fegely, A. (2017). Educational Apps in the Blended Learning Classroom: Bringing Inquiry-Based Learning into the Mix. Current Issues in Emerging eLearning, 4(1), 3-10. Retrieved from https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi? article=1037&context=ci_fac

Delours, J. (1996). Learning: the Treasure within: report to UNESCO of the International Commission on Education for the Twenty-first Century (highlights). Retrieved from https://www.eccnetwork.net/resources/learning

European Commission. (2016). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. A New Skills Agenda for Europe. Brusseles. Retrieved from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2016%3A941%3AFIN

Economou, A. (2016). Research Report on Transversal Skills Frameworks. Erasmus+ Programme 2014-2020 Key Action 3: Support for policy reform. Retrieved from http://www.ats2020.eu/images/deliverables/D1.1_TransversalSkillsFrameworks_CP.pdf

Eiropean Commission, ESCO. (2018). Skill Reusability Level. Transversal Knowledge, Skills and Competences. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/esco/portal/escopedia/ Skill_reusability_level

European Commission (2016). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Working together to strengthen human capital, employability and competitiveness. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/rep/1/ 2016/EN/1-2016-381-EN-F1-1.PDF

Ferrary, A. (2013). DigCOMP: A Framework for Developing and Understanding Digital Competence in Europe. EU: Luxemburg, Publishing Office. Retrieved from http://ftp.jrc.es/EURdoc/JRC83167.pdf

Finegold, D. & Notabartolo, A.S. (2014). 21st-Century Competencies and Their Impact: An Interdisciplinary Literature Review. Executive Summary. Retrieved from https://hewlett.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/21st_Century_Competencies_Impact.pdf

Future Earth: Strategic Research/Agenda. (2014). Retrieved from www.futureearth.org

Gyuris, E. (2018). Evaluating the effectiveness of postgraduate research skills training and its alignment with the Research Skill Development framework. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 15(4). Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1195983

Griffin, P. & Care, E. (2015). Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills: Methods and Approach. Springer.

Healey, M. (2005). Linking Research and Teaching to Benefit Student Learning. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 29(2), 183-201. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/ 03098260500130387

Halbert, J., Kaser, L. & Koehn, D. (2011). Spirals of Inquiry: Building Professional Inquiry to Foster Student Learning. Paper presented at ICSEI 2011, Limassol, Cyprus symposium: What is Inquiry and How Does it Work? Examining Linkages in Assessment, Leadership, Teacher and Student Inquiry. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ ark:/48223/pf0000244022

Huber, L. (2014). Forschungsbasiertes, Forschungsorientiertes, Forschendes Lernen: Alles dasselbe? Studies in Higher Education, 86-93. Retrieved from https://www.fh-potsdam.de/fileadmin/user_upload/forschen/material-publikation/HSW1_2_2014_Huber.pdf

IZM Mūžizglītības attīstības nodaļa, Akadēmiskās informācijas centrs (2011). Augstākās izglītības ciklu noslēguma prasību apraksti (deskriptori). Retrieved from http://www.nki-latvija.lv/content/files/Augst-izgl-ciklu-nosleguma-prasibas_1.pdf

Joynes, C., Rossignoli, S., & Fenyiwa Amonoo-Kuofi, E. (2019). 21st Century Skills: Evidence of issues in definition, demand and delivery for development contexts (K4D Helpdesk Report). Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies. (UK). Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d71187ce5274a097c07b985/21st_century.pdf

Kai Wah Chu, S., Reynolds, R.B., Tavares, N.J., Notari, M., & Wing Yi Lee, C. (2017). 21st Century Skills Development Through Inquiry-Based Learning: From Theory to Practice. Springer. DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-2481-8

Krasnopjorovs, O. (2018). Augstākās izglītības kvalitāte Latvijā – atziņas no akreditācijas ziņojumu pirmajiem rezultātiem. Retrieved from https://www.makroekonomika.lv/ augstakas-izglitibas-kvalitate-latvija-atzinas-no-akreditacijas-zinojumu-pirmajiem-rezultatiem

Lambrechts, W. & Van Petegem, P. (2016). The interrelations between competences for sustainable development and research competences. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 17(6), 776-795. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-03-2015-0060

Lang, C. & Buzwell, S. (2010). “Research skills are vital in all facets of life”: Research perceptions, expectations and experiences of undergraduate students. In M. Devlin, J. Nagy and A. Lichtenberg (Eds.) Research and Development in Higher Education: Reshaping Higher Education, 33 (pp. 431–440). Retrieved from https://www.herdsa.org.au/publications/conference-proceedings/research-and-development-higher-education-reshaping-higher-37

Lazonder, A.W. & Harmsen, R. (2016). Meta-analysis of inquiry-based learning: Effects of guidance Review of Educational Research, 86(3), pp. 681-718. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3102%2F0034654315627366

Lemke, C. (2002). EnGauge 21st Century Skills: Digital literacies for a Digital Age. Retrieved from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/ERIC-ED463753/pdf/ERIC-ED463753.pdf

Level descriptors 2022-2024. Retrieved from https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/ 555760-2022-2024-syllabus.pdf

Ling, L. (2020). Universities and research in times of crisis: the getting of wisdom. Emerald Insight. Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 20, No. 4, 361-371. Doi https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-06-2020-0055

Pedaste, M., Mäeots, M., Siiman, L. A., De Jong, T., Van Riesen, S. A., Kamp, E. T., ... & Tsourlidaki, E. (2015). Phases of inquiry-based learning: Definitions and the inquiry cycle. Educational research review, 14, 47-61.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.02.003

Martin, M. & Stella, A. (2007). External Quality assurance in higher education: making choices. Published by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000152045

Maxwell, N. (2008). The key to the solution to the crisis we face. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338655795_The_Key_to_the_Solution_of_the_World_Crisis_We_Face

Mieg, H.A. & Lehmann, J. (Eds.) (2017). Forschendes Lernen: Wie die Lehre in Universität und Fachhochschule erneuert werden kann. Frankfurt/Main: Campus.

Mieg, H.A. (Ed) (2019). Inquiry-Based Learning – Undergraduate Research The German Multidisciplinary Experience. Springer Open. Retrieved from https://www.springer. com/gp/book/9783030142223

Murtonen, M. & Balloo, K. (Eds). (2019). Redefining Scientific Thinking for Higher Education: Higher-Order Thinking, Evidence-Based Reasoning and Research Skills. Palgrave, Macmillan. Retrieved from https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030242145

Northern, S. (2019). The 5 E’s of Inquiry-Based Learning. Retrieved from https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/the-5-es-of-inquiry-based-learning/

OECD. (2005). The Definition and Selection of Key Competencies: Executive Summary. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/pisa/35070367.pdf

OECD. (2018). The Future of Education and Skills: Education 2030. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/education/2030/E2030%20Position%20Paper%20(05.04. 2018).pdf

Pedaste, M., Mäeots, M., Siiman, L. A., De Jong, T., Van Riesen, S. A., Kamp, E. T., ... & Tsourlidaki, E. (2015). Phases of inquiry-based learning: Definitions and the inquiry cycle. Educational research review, 14, 47-61.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.02.003

Pellegrio, J. W., Chudowsky, N. & Glaser, R. (2001). Knowing What Students Know: The science and design of educational assessment. National Academy Press. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED458233

Schindler, L., Puls-Elvidge, S., Welzant, H., & Crawford, L. (2015). Definitions of Quality in Higher Education: A Synthesis of the Literature. Higher Learnning Research Communications, 5(3),|3-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.18870/hlrc.v5i3.244

Schmidt, H. & Gessmann, M. (2009). Philosophisches Wörterbuch (23., vollst. neu bearb. Auflage). Stuttgart: Kröner.

Suto, I. & Eccles, H. (2014). The Cambridge approach to 21st Century skills: definitions, development and dilemmas for assessment. IAEA Conference. Retrieved from https://www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/Images/461811-the-cambridge-approach-to-21st-century-skills-definitions-development-and-dilemmas-for-assessment-.pdf

Spronken-Smith, R. & Walker, R. (2010). Can inquiry‐based learning strengthen the links between teaching and disciplinary research? Studies in Higher Education, 35(6), 723-740. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070903315502

Thayer, T. (2018). Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills (ATC21S). Retrieves from https://entreassess.com/2018/05/29/assessment-and-teaching-of-21st-century-skills-atc21s/

Topalov, J. & Radić-Bojanić, B. (2013). Acadmic Research Skills of University Students. Romanian Journal of English Studies, 145-152. Doi: 10.2478/rjes-2013-0012

UNESCO (2013). ERI-Net Asia-Pacific Regional Policy Series. (2016). School and Teaching Practices for Twenty-¬1st Century Challenges. Lessons from the Asia-Paci¬c Region 2014. Regional Study on Transversal Competencies In Education Policy and Practice (Phase II). Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED559665

Weber, K. (2002). The Role of Instrumental and Relational Understanding in Proofs about Group Isomorphism. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 228857842

Whittemore, S. (2018). Transversal Competencies essential for future proofing the workforce. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328318972

Willison, J, & O’Regan, K. (2008, 2015). Table 1. Researcher Skill Development Framework. Retrieved from https://www.adelaide.edu.au/melt/ua/media/48/rsd7_13nov_15_jm.pdf

Willison, J. (2018). Research skill development spanning higher education: Critiques, curricula and connections, Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 15(4), 2018. https://ro.uow.edu.au/jutlp/vol15/iss4/1

Žogla, I. & Ļubkina, V. (2020). Doktoranta pētniecības kompetence. Education Reform: Education content research and implementation problems, Volume 1, 42-55. Doi: https://doi.org/10.17770/er2020.1.5317

Downloads

Published

21.09.2021

How to Cite

Zogla, I. (2021). FROM RESEARCH SKILLS TO RESEARCHER’S TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCE. Education Reform: Education Content Research and Implementation Problems, 1, 69-90. https://doi.org/10.17770/er2021.1.5421