The Research Autonomy and Complexity Tool (RAC-T)
Instrument and workshop guide
Educating students in research competencies such as critical thinking or problem solving is increasingly an aim in higher education. The instruments presented here can be used to discuss the level and content of research skills that students need as they go through their education.
Video: The Research Autonomy and Complexity Tool
Explanatory video about the instrument by Rose Leighton, researcher and teacher.
This tool provides a language to debate the level of research expected of students (and other stakeholders). This consists of two axes:
- Autonomy: the desired amount of autonomy and independence of the student while fulfilling a research assignment.
- Complexity: the complexity of the research assignment, which includes interdisciplinarity, the knowledge and skills needed to be developed and number of assignments.
Both autonomy and complexity are described in five levels, ranging from A - low to E - high. These five levels can be adapted or made more precise when needed for a particular context.
Discuss integration of research and education
The Higher Education, Research and Innovation (HERI) research grouphas developed tools and workshops to discuss research integration with your team. These instruments help you discuss different perspectives, define what 'quality' means for you, and what kind of research is appropriate for your context.
You can find all the instruments here.