So many comments... I thank all those that have offered their thoughts - particularly those that have not been inclined to do so in the past. We are off to good start on disproving James' #1 prediction - and I hope he approves!
Johan your research sounds wonderful - I would be interested in learning what it might take to get it translated (and published?) - I have not heard of anything similar and feel that it would be a tremendous contribution to the existing research available in english. Perhaps others may have some thoughts on how we may make this happen - are there any resources at AEE to help make this happen? I will make some queries.
As for the notion that intuition is a 'dirty word', Jo's comments earlier seemed to indicate the same thing. I see the two as complimentary - much like qualitative and quantitative research; individually they offer unique and interesting insights - but together ... that is where the potential really lies. Yet, there is this constant debate. I would rather place my energy on embracing as much as possible of both. I made the query to this list in the hopes that those who have read or done research that may be useful would offer those studies. Johan's research seems to be of particular interest in that it offers insight into the nature of our intuition. This is - in my eyes - an important avenue for research in our field (and many others). Peter's comments of the complexity of the facilitation process as well as those from Toby that the most interesting and unexpected things may come about as a result of acting intuitively are all the more support for research like Johan's!
to
become available.
My original thoughts (when I first posted to the list) were that, from what I have seen, the students I work with use nothing but intuition - again, why not inform and enhance their intuitive skills with knowledge gained (through tremendous effort, time and resources) by researchers. James' prediction that research will continue without cohesive direction is apropos - and in my own eyes this is partially a result of the notions that one 'side' needs to be proven as more worthwhile than the other. Johan's work on intuition is, just in its existence, evidence that our field embraces and seeks to learn more about those notions and concepts that are so difficult to specifically quantify. By taking on such tasks we not only enhance our own field but also provide resource for other fields with similar challenges to learn from... Also, why not explore the work done in similar fields on other 'difficult to quantify' subjects. I especially like the work done on 'happiness' by
Csikszentmihilyi. It offers sound methods and is presented in a manner that is congruent with the subject - it is not sterile - but creative and passionate - not to mention wonderfully pertinent.
Does anyone have any references they might suggest?
Peace,
Steve
Scientific research is an art form in this sense: It does not matter how you make a discovery, only that your claim is true and convincingly validated. The ideal scientist thinks like a poet and works like a bookkeeper, and I suppose that if gifted with a full quiver, he [sic] also writes like a journalist. As a painter stands before bare canvas or a novelist recycles past emotion with eyes closed, he searches his imagination for subjects as much as conclusions, for questions as much as answers. Even if his highest achievement is only to perceive the need for a new instrument or theory, that may be enough to open the door to a new industry of research.
- Edward O. Wilson, 1998
Steve Crosby, M.Ed.
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