National Graduate School in Educational Research (NATED)

The National Graduate School in Educational Research (NATED) is a partnership between six Norwegian universities and one university college. The school is co-ordinated by the Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo. Through a combination of network structures and thematic tracks, the school aims to provide PhD students with: courses in research design, methodology and methods specialized education and training in thematic fields central to educational knowledge. At present, NATED offers specialisation along four thematic tracks, which constitute core areas in educational research: Track 1: Language development, text comprehension and literacy Track 2: Teaching, learning, and subject domains Track 3: Educational leadership, school reform and education governance Track 4: Higher education and professional learning NATED educational mission To give state of the art courses in research design and methodology To provide rigorous training in different methodological approaches To develop analytical skills in both quantitative and qualitative approaches To provide in-depth courses within selected themes To provide a research environment and a course programme in which all doctoral students have access to a high level of expertise in their research area To internationalise educational research in Norway in collaboration with key international partners To develop models for how educational research can be organized.

NATED project summary: The National Evaluation of Educational Research points to a number of challenges for educational research. The first challenge is to build stronger research groups and units that can have an impact internationally. The second is to build a research culture that effectively communicates scientific standards. Moving from an individualistic culture to stronger research groups and units will be an important step in increasing the quantity and quality of international publications. The c reation of a National Graduate School for Educational Research aims at addressing these weaknesses. The scope of the national research school is to offer high quality PhD education and courses of international standard in the philosophy of science, rese arch ethics, and research methods. We also intend to develop high quality doctoral education in four thematic fields central to educational knowledge. We have chosen four thematic tracks in the research school. These tracks are selected based on the fol lowing criteria: societal relevance, involvement of leading international researchers, a critical mass of doctoral students, a clear synergy between at least two or three of the participating institutions, and relevance for teacher education. The themat ic tracks are: 1. Language development, text comprehension and literacy 2. Learning and teaching in and out of schools 3. Educational leadership, school reform and education governance 4. Higher education and professional learning The steering and le adership is based on a two level structure, with a scientific board that includes representatives from all partners, and a scientific and educational committee that organizes and manages the activities.