Jill Porter & Penny Lacey 
Researching Learning Difficulties 
A Guide for Practitioners

`The authors provide a guide which points the reader to sources that can engage more deeply with the issues raised and, as such, is a useful resource for anyone wanting to know more about researching learning difficulties′ –
British Journal of Special Education

′This book is highly recommended and endorsed. It celebrates the diversity of work that is currently undertaken in the field of learning difficulties with a concern to enable people working within different spheres of activity to share something of their work to contribute to the bigger picture.

′As part of an academic, school or staff development resource library this book will aid, stimulate and focus researchers at all levels to hone their selected methods, evaluate results and critically judge qualitative and quantitative data′ – Special Children

`This timely book, written in a highly accessible way… provides a coherent basis for users as well as practitioners, of research involving children and young people with learning difficulties′ – Ann Lewis, Professor of Special Education and Educational Psychology, University of Birmingham.

This book is for researchers, teachers and other professionals working with children and people with learning difficulties. It will enable them to:

– access research in learning difficulties, drawing on other disciplines

– understand different types of research methodology and their strengths and limitations

– examine how researchers must consider the constraints on methodology because of the characteristics of the field

– and understand the particular issues of small-scale research and participatory research

– explore new methodologies that are developing in the field

The authors recognize that there are tensions, especially the difficulty of validating research on small varied populations in a wide range of schools, community and other settings. The book will help readers to critically evaluate the implications of research reports for their own practice.

This book is for researchers, teachers and professionals:

– in specialist and inclusive community and educational settings

– following courses of continuing professional development

– doing research (Masters and Doctorate, Education, Social Sciences, Psychology, Public Policy).

It is relevant to practitioners working with people with learning difficulties across a range of settings.

Table of Content

Introduction

Historical Perspective

Research Agendas

Trends in Research

Evaluation Research

Researching Intervention

Participatory Research

Small-Scale Research

Looking beyond the Discipline

About the author

Penny Lacey had a background in teaching children and young people with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties before she came to the School of Education in 1991.