There is a wide and varied debate across the sector as to what SoTL actually entails. So there is not one way to think about SoTL that rules them all. SoTL covers anything from reflective practice, literature reviews, over case studies, to larger projects. The linked article provides an overview of SoTL frameworks which might be helpful for orientation. However, if you are planning an educational inquiry there are some key elements that need to be considered. Glassick et all (1997) have basically translated a traditional social science approach to research for SoTL. This is a good starting point for you, if you are feeling overwhelmed by all the other information:
Glassick’s Framework
One way to approach your SoTL project is to use Glassick’s Framework (prepared by Dr Michael McEwan), based on:
Maeroff, G. I., Huber, M. T., Boyer, E. L., Glassick, C. E. (1997). Scholarship assessed : evaluation of the professoriate. San Francisco: Wiley.
- Clear goals
- Adequate preparation
- Appropriate methods
- Significant results
- Reflective critique
- Effective dissemination
- Clear goals
- Have you clearly articulated the purpose of your SoTL work?
- These will often be formulated as questions and will often problem focused and context dependent.
- Adequate preparation
- Have you included a careful consideration about what is already known about your topic of investigation by engaging with the L+T literature?
- Appropriate methods
- SoTL projects should be ‘aligned.’ Did you select appropriate methods in order to achieve what you set out to achieve?
- Significant results
- Did the data you gathered enable you to address your focus or concerns?
- Reflective critique
- Did you carefully consider the implications of your findings for your own practice and the practice of others?
- Effective dissemination
- Did you work out who was going to benefit from your findings?
- Did you make your findings public so at benefit from peer review?