Research and Practice in Catholic Educational Studies

This chapter reflects on the interplay that takes place when the worlds of research and practice collide in Catholic education. The first part outlines various thinking within current education research literature that attempts to explain the liminal space between the activities of researchers and practitioners, the contestation of ideas, the relationships inherent in this partnership and the processes that occur during research to develop and implement new knowledge. The remainder of the chapter presents an example of research-informed practice relating to adult online theological education. The purpose is to illustrate how research and practice in Catholic education come together to influence, interpret and impact one another in mutual reciprocity. Research, especially in more philosophical or theoretical form, risks being seen as an academic or intellectual exercise, a separate body of theory or knowledge. How to connect with other ways of being, knowing or doing takes us into the domain of practice. The chapter concludes by seeking a greater coherence for the design of educational research that strengthens connections between research theory and practice to promote further knowledge and study of Catholic education. Key Words Research methods; Catholic education studies; Online adult theological education; Practice-based researc