Higher education as a field of study and research

CITATION: Bitzer, E. & Wilkinson, A. 2009. Higher Education as a Field of Study and Research, in E. Bitzer (ed.). Higher Education in South Africa: A Scholarly Look behind the Scenes. Stellenbosch: SUN MeDIA. 369-408. doi:10.18820/9781920338183/17.The original publication is available from AFRICAN SUNMeDIA - www.sun-e-shop.co.zaIn this chapter we address four issues concerning HE as a field of study and research. We start off by discussing the typical characteristics of a field of study as opposed to a discipline, then we trace a number of moments in the development of HE studies and research internationally and locally. Next we try to suggest a way to ‘map’ the field in South Africa against the background of international mappings and finally we suggest a number of issues to consider for possible future research to extend and promote HE as a field of study and research – particularly in South Africa.Publishers' versio