Engaging teachers in research: inspiration versus the daily grind

What factors influence teachers' decisions as to whether to involve themselves in school-based research? Both the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) and the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) for England and Wales have launched initiatives to promote the idea of teaching as an evidence-based profession. The DfEE has also provided £3 million to support teacher-researchers in carrying out small studies into classroom practice. This article looks at the factors which have influenced teachers' and schools' decisions on whether to engage in research into classroom practice, from the perspective of the Norwich Area Schools Consortium (NASC).