Institute for Meta-Synthesis: A Practicum through the Lens of STEM Equity and Inclusion Literature

TERC, Inc.将建立一个研究方法研究所，该研究所将建立定性综合方法的能力，重点是STEM公平性和包容性文献。该研究所回应了在STEM教育研究中更加重视元综合方法的需求，研究人员缺乏进行这些研究的准备，以及广泛多样化STEM教育研究人员的需求。研究所的参与者需要建立元综合技能的能力，包括相关文献的定位、高质量研究的识别、综合备忘录的创建和系统的专题分析。通过公平和包容文献的视角，参与者将学习如何识别和构建新兴主题，并将研究结果理论化。目标参与者将包括研究生、博士后学者和STEM教育研究的早期职业调查者，特别是那些来自代表性不足群体的人。项目团队将追求三个主要目标：(1)开发一套灵活的材料和经验，为参与者提供在定性元综合中建立技能和能力的跳板。(2)实施工作坊、网络研讨会、研讨会、强化辅导和其他实践活动，使参与者能够应用元综合方法。(3)创建和传播按需模块、用户指南和其他辅助材料，供个人使用，并在参与者所在机构提供未来的课程。除了扩大STEM教育研究界中代表性不足的群体的代表性外，该研究所还可以填补STEM教育研究文献中关于公平和包容主题的知识空白。该研究所将利用公平和包容STEM文献进行系统的综合培训。这种方法采用系统的搜索和选择过程以及对调查结果的专题分析。该团队将使用已建立的预搜索方法和混合编码方法，这些方法在文献中得到证实，并以理论为基础来构建模块。教学方法包括在学习者和教师之间以及学习者之间创造一种互惠的环境。交付形式包括六个强化课程模块，一个入门级研讨会，一个简短的研讨会，一个同步网络研讨会和按需模块。元综合课程的模块化性质允许灵活地满足特定社区的学习需求，项目团队提供的个性化指导和技术援助将加深参与者对支持性结构中综合技术的理解。研究所还将为完成六个单元的一部分参与者提供指导和技术支持，并在服务少数民族的机构中大力开展招募参与者的工作。最终目标是参与者将能够设计和执行成功的元综合项目，以丰富STEM教育研究知识库。该项目得到了EHR核心研究计划（ECR）的ECR: STEM教育研究能力建设竞赛的支持。ECR资助基础STEM教育研究项目，重点关注STEM学习/学习环境，扩大STEM领域的参与，以及STEM专业劳动力的发展。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

TERC, Inc. will implement an Institute in Research Methods that will build capacity in qualitative meta-synthesis methods, with an emphasis on STEM equity and inclusion literature. The institute responds to the need for greater emphasis on meta-synthesis methods in STEM education research, the lack of preparation among researchers to conduct these studies, and the need to diversify the pool of STEM education researchers broadly. Institute participants are expected to build capacity in meta-synthesis skills, including location of relevant literature, identification of high-quality research, synthesis memo creation, and systematic thematic analysis. Through the lens of equity and inclusion literature, participants will learn how to identify and frame emergent themes and theorize findings. Targeted participants will include graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and early career investigators in STEM education research, particularly those from underrepresented groups. The project team will pursue three primary objectives: (1) Develop a flexible set of materials and experiences that provide participants with on-ramps for building skills and competencies in qualitative meta-synthesis. (2) Implement workshops, webinars, seminars, intensive coaching, and other hands-on activities that allow participants to apply meta-synthesis methods. (3) Create and disseminate on-demand modules, user guides, and other supporting materials for individual use and future course offerings at participants’ institutions. In addition to broadening the representation of underrepresented groups in the STEM education research community, the institute can fill the knowledge gaps on equity and inclusion topics in STEM education research literature.The institute will capitalize on equity and inclusion STEM literature for systematic meta-synthesis training. This approach employs systematic search and selection processes and thematic analysis of findings. The team will use established pre-search methods and a hybrid approach for coding that are substantiated in the literature and grounded in theory to frame the modules. The pedagogical approach involves creating an environment of reciprocity between learner and teacher and among learners. The delivery formats include six intensive course modules, an introductory level workshop, a short seminar, a synchronous webinar, and on-demand modules. The modular nature of the meta-synthesis curriculum allows for flexibility to address the learning needs of particular communities, and the individualized coaching and technical assistance provided by the project team will deepen participants’ understanding of synthesis techniques in a supportive structure. The Institute also will offer coaching and technical support for a subset of participants who complete the six modules and implement strong participant recruitment efforts among minority-serving institutions. The ultimate goal is that participants will be able to design and execute successful meta-synthesis projects that can enrich the STEM education research knowledge base. The project is supported by the ECR: Building Capacity in STEM Education Research competition of the EHR Core Research Program (ECR). ECR funds fundamental STEM education research projects that focus on STEM learning/learning environments, broadening participation in STEM fields, and STEM professional workforce development.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.