This paper reports some insights into the understandings about research of computing educators and novice researchers in the NACCQ sector. These insights arise from a self-assessment of their approaches to teaching and research, undertaken at NACCQ sponsored "Getting Started in Research Workshops". The self-assessment was intended to assist workshop participants to become aware of and reflect upon their predominant teaching and research paradigms. It also served as a means of actively modelling use of the critical method in research. Three paradigms – Functional, Transactional and Critical were used in the assessment process, and attendees were asked to indicate which paradigm best applied to their practice and beliefs in their teaching and research respectively. This paper will discuss the settings, the instrument used, review the findings from data gathered to date, and indicate future directions for this research.