NCVER funded research for the research theme Students and individuals (1999-2012)

The main funding source of research into Australian vocational education and training is the National Council for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). NCVER is a not-for-profit company owned by state, territory and federal ministers responsible for training which has been funding VET research in Australia since 1992. The aim of this paper is to present data from a methodological scan of the NCVER funded research from under the research theme of Students and individuals, from 1999 to 2012. NCVER has funded 114 research projects under the Students and individuals theme during this 14 year time period. This research theme is one of five main themes. The other four themes include Teaching and learning, Industry and employers, VET system and VET in context. The purpose of this study is the exploration of the level of acceptance and adoption of mixed methods in NCVER funded research for this particular research theme. The methodological preferences of funded research may provide insights into the levels of methodological innovation being practiced in relation to VET student issues and phenomenon identified as needing investigation by NCVER and active VET-based researchers and practitioners.