Riding the rapids of classroom-based research

Conducting classroom-based research can be difficult, often fraught with challenges, analogous to riding a canoe down the rapids. The dynamics of classroom-based research often require flexibility on the parts of both the researcher and school personnel. Classroom-based research is viewed here through a framework of problem-based methodology as developed by Robinson and adapted to real-world research in the classroom. A simple and adaptable model of the nature of schools as organisations is discussed, and problem-based methodology is used to explore how such complex and dynamic institutions maintain the ability to function effectively. Problem-based methodology is then applied to the development of a theoretical framework to clarify the processes of recruiting participant schools and of conducting the research. The framework is operationalised through a brief account of one researcher’s experiences.