Involving students in teachers' research - a way to improve the quality in higher education?

Abstract

This article presents an example of research – teaching nexus with undergraduate students,in order to raise the quality in higher education. The students' evaluation of participating in research integrated with regular teaching provides helpful feedback to teachers so upcoming students can gain greater learning outcomes. The empirical basis consists of descriptive data from a questionnaire distributed in two classes of students in early childhood education at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Science (HiOA).[1] Most studies of students as researchers have involved advanced students in university education, in general at master’s level. Our study shows that first-year bachelor preschool teacher students may benefit from participating in research, also when quantitative research methods are used.