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Learn about lines of inquiry by studying individual researchers

One of the most challenges aspects for graduate students is learning various lines of inquiry. Inside every field of study are schools of thought, methodologies, theories, and research approaches for particular topics. How do you quickly and efficiently learn about a new topic? In today’s post, I suggest that you learn about lines of inquiry by studying individual researchers.

Photo credit: youn-sik kim

When I have students that seek to learn about a new area of research, I often recommend that they look up an individual researcher that publishes extensively on the topic.  Often, I’m even able to give the name of someone to help get them started.

I recommend pulling the researcher’s CV and reading all of their publications on a topic. 

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A Review of Adam Grant’s Originals

Adam Grant is among the most popular professors in America. He has successfully navigated the transition from scholar to one who makes scholarship popular. Given his success and other books that I have been reading lately, I was interested in his latest book, Originals:  How Non-Conformists Move the World. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. In today’s post, I will share a review of Adam Grant’s Originals and where I believe the book fell short.

Photo credit: Time

Grant’s goal in the book was to explain how people come to champion original ideas. Specifically, what makes people support novel ideas, think outside the box, and embrace risk taking.

Given his expertise as an organizational psychologist with the Wharton School, Grant certainly has the expertise to tackle the topic.

Yet, the book fails to deliver on this promise.

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Can we afford not to invest in higher education?

As the nation emerges from the recession that has plagued our economy, we must reinvest in higher education.  In recent days, several news reports have described how poorer students and families have faced the brunt of college price increases.  If achieving a college degree is no longer affordable for all students, it should concern us all.

returnoninvestment

Photo credit: www.LendingMemo.com

The cost of higher education is a difficult issue to understand because the price a student pays is only part of the equation.  The amount of money that a college spends to educate a student changes relatively little.  Yet, the price that a student pays can vary tremendous.

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The need for research on cities and higher education

I believe the relationship between universities and cities will be one of the most significant policy questions during the 21st century. As I wrap up this series of posts on cities and higher education, I want to end by sharing the conclusion to our Higher Education: Handbook of Research and Theory chapter. Here we describe the need for research on cities and higher education and call for scholars to examine these important research questions.

In order to fully understand how universities serve as anchor institutions, higher education scholars should consider factors, structures, and processes outside of higher education.

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Challenges for Researchers in Using the Creative Class Theory

Richard Florida is one of the most popular experts on cities and urban planning. His work has been popularized and quite influential among policy makers. Florida’s argument about the value of the creative class in promoting economic growth has driven much of the debate regarding urban growth and planning. However, Florida has critics in economics and other fields. In today’s post, I want to share another excerpt from my Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research chapter coauthored with Karri Holley. This section examines the challenges for researchers in using the creative class theory.

Photo credit: Next City

Despite its popularity with policymakers, urban planners, and the general public (Center for Cultural Policy Research, 2003; Eakin, 2002; Martin-Brelot, Grossetti, Eckert, Gritsai, & Kovacs, 2010; Wiesand & Sondermann, 2005), the concept of the creative class and its relationship to economic growth within large urban cities is not immune from criticism.