Research Practitioners Network

Click here to apply to the Research Practitioners Network  

Why is research important to EDI and QF?

Research happens every day, formally and informally in education.  Research is critical to making informed decisions, improving evidence-based practices, and building sustainable learning eco-systems.  Research also helps to answer questions, inspire change, and build capacity.

Pre-University Education has a strategic commitment to leading research on learning.    

EDI research vision

Leading research on learning

EDI research mission

At EDI, we seek to provide evidence-based learning proposals, where we: lead and engage in meaningful and credible research, enrich human knowledge on students and educators’ learning, and advocate and build coalitions for advancing learning through research and inquiry. More specifically, we aim to enhance educational outcomes in Qatar by radiating innovative and effective educational practices.

To support the research needs and practices across PUE, EDI has developed the Research Practitioners Network (RPN) to support those engaging or wishing to engage in research.

What is the Research Practitioners Network (RPN)?

RPN is a professional community of practice for educators who are in the process of completing their masters or doctoral degree in education or related field, as well as early career researchers (i.e. those who have completed their studies within the past 5 years).  RPN is also an opportunity for educators with research experience seeking to grow their contribution to research. The RPN program promotes partnerships between educator(s) and researcher(s).   

Eligibility Requirements for RPN

RPN participants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Being currently enrolled in a Masters’ or Doctoral program
• Postdoctoral fellow
• Early career researcher with a Masters’ or Doctoral degree, completed within the past 5 years

Mission Statement of RPN

The mission of the RPN program is to promote high quality research that will inform evidence-based practice, decision making, and quality programming that will radiate across both our schools and Qatar. 

In alignment with the vision, mission, strategic objectives, and Qatar national priorities, EDI aims to increase educational research capacity by providing opportunities for educator(s) and researcher(s) to develop their research knowledge and skills; to network and collaborate; and connect with the PUE research community and beyond. 

The network provides a forum for interdisciplinary collaboration for all researchers, facilitating long-term friendships and research support. The network hopes to inspire researcher(s) and offer opportunities that enrich the scholarship of teaching and learning. 

RPN Program Format

The RPN program is an online/face to face mentoring program that starts as soon as a participant completes the online application for RPN program. The R&E office will then contact the researcher and have them complete the Skill Building Needs survey. The RPN program will meet monthly throughout the academic year. The RPN skill building needs survey will enable to program to:

• Custom develop the skill building offerings
• Develop tiers of mentoring to fit the researcher(s) needs.

Mentoring will focus on providing guidance on a range of activities required for successful research, including developing research questions, proposal/survey development, data collection and analysis, call for paper submissions, publishing, and grant proposal writing among other topics.

In addition, RPN will offer one-on-one mentoring to researcher(s) in online and/or face to face format(s).

Roles/Responsibilities of the RPN Participants

• Develop goals and anticipated outcomes of the research project
• Develop and maintain a research plan with proposed time frame
• Work with your mentor to develop or review your research questions, methodology, and data collection methods
• Conduct the literature review and other significant requirements
• Complete CITI training
• Review and complete the Institutional Review Board (IRB) application for research with assistance as needed
• Inform the research mentor of any changes
• Attend scheduled workshops and/or research sessions
• Maintain documentation of the project
• Respond to request for information and keep your mentor regularly updated

Role of the RPN Mentor (Researcher- Research and Evaluation Office)

• To provide guidance and support to your mentee (educator) based on his or her unique research needs
• To give advice and guidance, share ideas, and provide feedback about their intended research
• To collaborate with the mentee(s) to develop and provide input to the research plan and other necessary documentation (IRB)
• Identify resources to help mentee enhance their research skills and project
• Serve as advocate for mentee whenever opportunity presents itself
• Act as sounding board for ideas and/or concerns about their research project
• Provide ongoing feedback, encouragement, and support throughout the research cycle

Expectations of all educator (mentee) and research (mentor) practitioner pairs

Mentee and Mentors should:

• Be clear on how often they will communicate; whether it will be by phone, e-mail, or other channels; and how quickly they will respond?
• Set goals and communicate what you hope to take away from this experience.
• Develop a work plan
• Ask questions and be active listener(s)
• Create an atmosphere of shared flexibility, ownership, and trust
• Be understanding of each other’s competing responsibilities (i.e. workload outside of RPN)
• Recognize sharing of time, efforts, and thoughts  
• Provide regular updates  

Benefits of Membership

The RPN program provide participants with the opportunity to:

• participate in research skill development offerings
• develop skills across the research cycle
• ·network with the research community in QF
• support colleagues at different levels of their research career
• establish new collaborations
• exchange ideas and investigate possible connections
• contribute to evidence-based practice
• increase the generation of outcome data
• work closely with a senior researcher
• participate in podcast(s)
• publish white and/or policy papers
• connect with potential presentation opportunities
• connect with potential publishers
• connect with potential funders