Researching Learning Difficulties: A Guide for Practitioners

The authors recognize that there are tensions, especially the difficulty of validating research on small varied populations in a wide range of schools, community, and other settings. The book will help readers to critically evaluate the implications of research reports for their own practice and will enable them to:

• Access research in learning difficulties, drawing on other disciplines
• Understand different types of research methodology and their strengths and limitations
• Examine the constraints on methodology because of the characteristics of the field
• Understand the particular issues of small-scale research and participatory research
• Explore new methodologies that are developing in the field

Research Interests * Policy and provision for pupils with special educational needs * Policy, provision and practice for people with learning difficulties across the age span * Organization of inclusive and special schooling * Early mathematical development * Research methodologies and special populations

Penny Lacey had a background in teaching children and young people with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties before she came to the School of Education in 1991.