How vocational education and training researchers use theory in their research

Abstract

This paper is a preliminary investigation of the place that theory plays in vocational education and training (VET) research. Vocational education and training is an academic discipline, whose theory base has not previously been analysed in detail. The VET research community considers itself to be somewhat undervalued both by the broader education discipline in Australia and by some stakeholder bodies. Yet the community and its experienced researchers have a high reputation overseas. It could be that a better articulation of the theoretical framework within which we work, and the bodies of knowledge upon which we draw, may lead to a greater utilisation of our work by the broader scholarly community and, importantly, by relevant policy-makers.

Keywords:

• theory
• VET research
• theoretical framework
• policy making
• international recognition