Theories and methods in higher education research – a space of opportunities

ABSTRACT

The issue of theories and methods in higher education research has been discussed for some time now. Earlier accounts have been mostly critical. Though we share this criticism, we also see promising perspectives. Higher education research can be seen as a space of opportunities, which is particularly well suited for allowing fruitful interactions with other research areas and society at large. Such interactions can lead to theory development and methodological advancements that might have an impact not only in higher education research, but in other research areas as well as society. The example of early organisation theory shows that such broader impact is possible. At the end of the introduction, current and future perspectives are mentioned.

KEYWORDS:

• Theories
• methods
• higher education research
• space of opportunities
• organisational theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Georg Krücken

Georg Krücken is Professor of Higher Education Research and Director of INCHER, the International Center for Higher Education Research, both at the University of Kassel (Germany). He is president of the ‘Gesellschaft für Hochschulforschung’ (Society for Higher Education Research), spokesperson of the research network ‘New Institutionalism’ and member of Academia Europaea. His research interests include higher education research, science studies, organisation studies, and neo-institutional theory. Georg Krücken was actively involved in the organisation of the CHER 32nd Annual Conference at INCHER.

Shweta Mishra

Shweta Mishra is the head of the research area ‘Students and Graduates’ at INCHER. Her research interests include social network analysis, multivariate statistics, as well as international comparisons – focusing on the higher education experiences and academic success of students, particularly students from lower social and educational backgrounds, migrant students as well as students with disabilities. The theoretical background of her work lies in the theory of Structural Holes, Weak Ties, cultural capital, social capital, and Network Exchange Theory. Shweta Mishra was actively involved in the organisation of the CHER 32nd Annual Conference at INCHER.

Tim Seidenschnur

Tim Seidenschnur is scientific coordinator in the research group ‘Multiple Competitions in Higher Education’ funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and senior researcher in the project ‘Multiple Competition in Research and Education’, both led by Georg Krücken. Until 2021, he has been head of the research area ‘Governance and Organisation’ at INCHER. The theoretical background of his work lies in sociology and organisation studies. From this background, he has done research on consulting, competition, the consequences of Brexit for, and teaching evaluation in the field of higher education. Tim Seidenschnur was actively involved in the organisation of the CHER 32nd Annual Conference at INCHER.