Rights statement: The original publication is available at www.link.springer.com
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Researcher creations?
T2 - the positioning of policy texts in higher education research
AU - Ashwin, Paul
AU - Smith, Karen
N1 - The original publication is available at www.link.springer.com
PY - 2015/6
Y1 - 2015/6
N2 - In this article we explore the way in which policy texts are positioned in a selection of higher education journal articles. Previous research has suggested that policy implementation studies have taken an uncritical approach to researching policies. Based on an analysis of articles published in higher education and policy journals in 2011, we argue that whilst these criticisms do appear to be valid, there is a bigger problem with the ways that policy texts are analysed and used in higher education research. This is that rather than subjecting particular policy texts to a sustained analysis, the majority of articles appear to focus on having an impact on policies that are very broadly conceived. We explore the implications of this and conclude by calling for more sustained, in-depth, analytical and critical research into the development and impact of higher education policies on higher education practices
AB - In this article we explore the way in which policy texts are positioned in a selection of higher education journal articles. Previous research has suggested that policy implementation studies have taken an uncritical approach to researching policies. Based on an analysis of articles published in higher education and policy journals in 2011, we argue that whilst these criticisms do appear to be valid, there is a bigger problem with the ways that policy texts are analysed and used in higher education research. This is that rather than subjecting particular policy texts to a sustained analysis, the majority of articles appear to focus on having an impact on policies that are very broadly conceived. We explore the implications of this and conclude by calling for more sustained, in-depth, analytical and critical research into the development and impact of higher education policies on higher education practices
KW - Higher education policy
KW - Policy texts
KW - Higher education research
U2 - 10.1007/s10734-014-9819-9
DO - 10.1007/s10734-014-9819-9
M3 - Journal article
VL - 69
SP - 1007
EP - 1018
JO - Higher Education
JF - Higher Education
SN - 0018-1560
IS - 6
ER -