What do you do if educational researchers are not receptive to feedback?

When you're in the field of education, providing feedback to researchers is a critical part of fostering growth and innovation. But what happens when those researchers are not open to your insights? It's a delicate situation that requires tact and persistence. Understanding why they might be resistant is the first step. It could be due to a strong personal attachment to their work, a lack of understanding of your perspective, or perhaps they're simply overwhelmed with other feedback. Your approach should be empathetic, aiming to open a dialogue that acknowledges their efforts while gently nudging them towards considering your constructive criticism.

1 Build Rapport

Building rapport with educational researchers is essential before diving into feedback. Start by engaging with their work, showing genuine interest, and appreciating their research contributions. This establishes a foundation of respect and mutual understanding. When you do offer feedback, they're more likely to consider it coming from someone who values their work. Remember, trust doesn't develop overnight, so be patient and consistently supportive in your interactions. This approach can soften the ground for feedback to be received more positively in the future.

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Dakoru Anuonye

Senior Lecturer at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education
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It's important to approach the situation with diplomacy and persistence when educational researchers are not receptive to feedback. Such diplomacy tips are as follows; You could try discussing your concerns with them directly, providing specific examples and suggesting constructive solutions. If that doesn't work, consider reaching out to their superiors or colleagues who may be more open to feedback. In addition, sharing your perspectives in relevant forums or publications could also help raise awareness and encourage dialogue within the research community.

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Fatima Zohra Farooqi

Project Manager - Production | Intersys Ltd.
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When educational researchers are not receptive to feedback, ensure it is specific, constructive, and focused on processes rather than personal traits. Choose a private, non-confrontational setting for the discussion. Adopt a collaborative tone, facilitating a two-way conversation to allow researchers to share their views. Link feedback to shared goals, showing how changes could enhance outcomes. If resistance persists, seek to understand their reluctance, providing further clarification where needed.

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2 Clarify Intent

Clarity in your intentions is crucial when dealing with resistance to feedback. Ensure that the researchers understand your feedback is meant to support their work and not undermine it. Explain that your goal is to enhance the quality and impact of their research. By being clear that your feedback is aimed at mutual goals – improving education – you help to align your perspectives and reduce potential defensiveness.

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3 Offer Specifics

When providing feedback, specificity is key. Vague comments can lead to confusion and resistance. Instead, offer concrete examples and actionable suggestions. This not only makes your feedback more useful but also demonstrates that you have engaged deeply with their work. Specific feedback can lead to specific improvements, which can be more satisfying for both parties involved.

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4 Listen Actively

Active listening is vital when educational researchers push back on feedback. Pay close attention to their responses and concerns. This shows respect for their expertise and perspective, which can help in lowering defenses. By understanding their viewpoint, you can tailor your feedback to be more acceptable and possibly uncover underlying issues that need addressing.

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Harita Rachh

Christ University, Bangalore | Tata Consultancy Services
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Encourage a culture of constructive dialogue where diverse perspectives are welcomed and respected. Highlight the benefits of listening to feedback, such as gaining new insights, improving research methodologies, and ultimately making a greater impact in the field of education. Lead by example by actively seeking and incorporating feedback into your own work, demonstrating the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. By developing an environment where feedback is valued and embraced, you can help researchers become more receptive and collaborative in their approach.

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5 Encourage Reflection

Encourage researchers to reflect on their work critically. Ask open-ended questions that prompt them to consider different angles and the potential impact of your feedback. This encourages a mindset of continuous improvement and can lead to self-initiated changes in their approach or methodology. Reflection can be a powerful tool in overcoming resistance to feedback as it comes from within the researcher themselves.

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6 Suggest Collaboration

Propose collaborative efforts as a way to address feedback receptively. Working together on a project or paper can provide hands-on opportunities to demonstrate the value of your feedback. Collaboration fosters a team environment where ideas are shared openly and improvements are made collectively. It's a proactive way to ensure feedback is integrated into the research process and valued by all parties involved.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if educational researchers are not receptive to feedback?

1

2

3

4

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1 Build Rapport

2 Clarify Intent

3 Offer Specifics

4 Listen Actively

5 Encourage Reflection

6 Suggest Collaboration

7 Here’s what else to consider

Teaching

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What do you do if educational researchers are not receptive to feedback?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Build Rapport

2 Clarify Intent

3 Offer Specifics

4 Listen Actively

5 Encourage Reflection

6 Suggest Collaboration

7 Here’s what else to consider

Teaching

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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