Carla Quesada Pallarès
Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
SIG Coordinator
Coordinators
Mission Statement
Research methods are at the core of any empirical study. Learning researchers have at their disposal a rich repertoire of different qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method designs that correspond with different underlying methodological and epistemological paradigms. These methods are associated with various units of analysis on individual and collective levels.
The aim of the SIG is to offer a forum and platform for all those who wish to engage in discussions, dialogues, reflections, and joint collaborations on methods in learning research. In doing so, the SIG is open for all methods, methodologies, and epistemologies that address the processes, practices, and outcomes of human learning. Some key questions are:
- How does learning theory inform the use and development of methods?
- What are the affordances of different epistemologies? What are their consequences for units of analysis, re-constructions, and operationalizations to study how humans learn?
- (How) Should we integrate, combine, and mix methods in learning research? What are the potential pitfalls and benefits?
- Which new and innovative methods and approaches emerge in the field? How do they inform the study of learning and instruction?
- How can we ensure robustness and rigor when applying methods in learning research?
- How can (new) scholars be educated and trained about methods in learning research?
EARLI Methods Chat
EARLI Methods Chats are low-key meetings in which EARLI members gather to talk about their experiences, ideas, questions... regarding a specific methodological topic. They are designed for both junior and senior researchers, for beginners, experts, and anyone in between. The idea is that we can all learn from each other. Whoever you are, please join us if you want to chat about methods and meet like-minded peers!
Teams-Link to the Methods Chat
Upcoming Methods Chats
Virtual Co-Working as a Method for Academic Writing
Date: 18th of June, 2026, 1:00-2:00 pm (CEST)
Speaker: Mag.a Julia Raberger, University of Vienna, Austria
About the session:
Virtual co-working brings participants together online to dedicate time to quiet, focused work on their own projects while being part of a shared and supportive working environment.
In this Methods Chat, Julia Raberger will introduce virtual co-working as a practical format for supporting academic writing and research work. She will explain what a co-working day looks like, how it is structured, and how participants can prepare in order to make the most of the online co-working experience.
The session will also provide a platform for sharing and discussing techniques that can help researchers overcome starting difficulties, structure their writing time, and build sustainable writing routines.
Upcoming Co-Working Events
Summer Co-Working Days 2026
Following the Methods Chat, SIG 17 will offer several virtual co-working days throughout the summer. These sessions provide an opportunity to work alongside others in a structured and supportive online environment.
The summer co-working days will take place on:
6 July 2026
27 July 2026
17 August 2026
Time: 09:00 AM - 5:00 PM CEST
Participants are welcome to join for the full day or for selected working sessions.
Throughout the day, participants work independently on their own writing or research projects and set individual goals. The day begins with a brief joint kick-off, during which participants define their goals for the day for themselves. This is followed by several focused work sessions, interspersed with regular breaks and a shared lunch break. The day concludes with a brief closing session, where participants reflect individually on their progress and next steps.
Join the co-working session here
Past Methods Chats
Youtube-Link to Past Methods Chats
Designing and Implementing Delphi Studies: Methodological Insights
May 6, 2026, 1:30–2:30 pm (CEST)
Speaker: Dr. Olga Ioannidou, University College Dublin
Low Hanging Fruits to Increase the Reproducibility of Your Research
March 9, 2026, 1:00–2:00 pm
Speaker: Jürgen Schneider, DIPF Frankfurt am Main, Germany
From classroom to cohort: Practical lessons learned from longitudinal fieldwork with primary school children
February 19, 2026, 1:00–2:00 pm
Speaker: Hannah Stynes, Researcher, University College Dublin
Fostering Student Voice, Agency and Engagement in Educational Research? - Exploring Photovoice Methodology Use with Youth in Alternative Education Settings
January 28, 2026, 1:00–2:00 pm
Speaker: Sara Lannin, PhD Candidate, University College Dublin
Panel Discussion: Career Opportunities on Research Methods Inside and Outside Academia
February 4, 2025, 1:00–2:00 pm (CET)
Speakers: Prof. Dr. Judith Schoonenboom (Professor for Empirical Pedagogy; University of Vienna; judith.schoonenboom@univie.ac.at) and Dr. Paulina Robalino (Independent Consultant and Speaker on Employee Experience & Data Analytics; paulina.e.robalino@gmail.com)
The Bayesian Way: Updating Imprecise Knowledge with New Data
June 3, 2024, 1:00–2:00 pm (CEST)
Speaker: Robert Threlfall (rthrelfall@secure-systems.org). See Robert's slides here.
Noticing in Action: Using Video Vignettes and Qualitative Content Analysis to Explore Pre-Service Teachers‘ Competence Development
December 10, 2024, 1:00–2:00 pm (CET)
Speaker: Dr. Denis Weger (University of Vienna, Austria; denis.weger@univie.ac.at)
Tackling Challenges in Education with Educational Design Research
May 14, 2024, 1:00–2:00 pm
Speaker: Dr. Denis Weger (University of Vienna; denis.weger@univie.ac.at)
Joint Poetic Transcription: Discussions about the Art and Method
April 23, 2024, 1:00–2:00 pm
Speaker: Felipe Sanchez Burgos (Lancaster University, UK; fsanchezb@gmail.com)
Measuring and Triangulating Implicit and Explicit Attitudes
February 7, 2024, 1:00–2:00 pm
Speaker: Aldin Alijagic (University of Augsburg, Germany; aldin.alijagic@uni-a.de)
Eye-Tracking as a Process-Based Methodology to Assess Teachers’ Professional Vision
January 10, 2024, 1:00–2:00 pm
Speaker: Dr. Ann-Sophie Grub (Saarland University, Germany; annsophie.grub@uni-saarland.de)
Connecting the Dots: The Power of Network Analysis in Conjunction with SEM and CFA
November 29, 2023, 1:00–2:00 pm
Speaker: Dr. Paulina Robalino (SILK Research Centre, Spain; paulina.e.robalino@gmail.com)
Upcoming Conferences
SIG 17 Biannual Conference 2028
The EARLI SIG 10, SIG 17, SIG 21 and SIG 25 are organising a joint conference!
Date: 2028
Location: University College Dublin
Past Conferences
SIG 17 Biannual Conference 2026
- The EARLI SIG 10, SIG 17, SIG 21 and SIG 25 are organising a joint conference!
- Theme: Meaningful Metamorphoses: Navigating Learning and Instruction in/ for Times of Change
- Date: March 25-27, 2026
- Place: University of Augsburg, Germany
- Conference Website
SIG 4 & 17 Biannual Conference 2024
- Theme: Navigating the Changing Landscape: Embracing Innovation and Evidence in Higher Education
- Date: 25th - 27th of September, 2024
- Place: Utrecht, Netherlands
- Conference Website
SIG 17 Biennial Conference 2020 (CANCELLED)
- Theme: Tidying the toolbox: trials, blunders, and challenges overcome in research on learning and education
- Date: 9th - 10th of September, 2020
- Place: Vienna, Austria
SIG 17 & 25 Biennial Conference 2018
- Theme: Dialogue between ontology and epistemology - New perspectives on theory and methodology in research on learning and education
- Date: 27th - 28th of August, 2018
- Place: Cambridge University, United Kingdom