TY - JOUR

T1 - Theory development and application in higher education research

T2 - the case of academic drift

AU - Tight, Malcolm Peter

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - This article examines the case of academic drift, as an example of a theory developed and applied within higher education research. It traces the origins and meaning of the term, reviews its application by higher education researchers, and discusses the issues it raises and the critiques it has attracted. It concludes that academic drift is at the heart of the long-standing liberal/vocational education debate, so is likely to continue to attract attention. The contemporary application of this theoretical framework also illustrates both the tendency for researchers to re-invent similar ideas in different times and places, and to ignore or overlook the work of some researchers whilst acknowledging that of others.

AB - This article examines the case of academic drift, as an example of a theory developed and applied within higher education research. It traces the origins and meaning of the term, reviews its application by higher education researchers, and discusses the issues it raises and the critiques it has attracted. It concludes that academic drift is at the heart of the long-standing liberal/vocational education debate, so is likely to continue to attract attention. The contemporary application of this theoretical framework also illustrates both the tendency for researchers to re-invent similar ideas in different times and places, and to ignore or overlook the work of some researchers whilst acknowledging that of others.

KW - academic drift

KW - higher education research

KW - theory

U2 - 10.1080/00220620.2015.974143

DO - 10.1080/00220620.2015.974143

M3 - Journal article

VL - 47

SP - 84

EP - 99

JO - Journal of Educational Administration and History

JF - Journal of Educational Administration and History

SN - 1478-7431

IS - 1

ER -