Dear Jacques, Bob, Nathalis and all,
I really do hope that my keynote presentation at ALARA next September, and
the draft paper that I have written - and am continually revising in
response to comments and conversation - in preparation for it, can help to
prepare the way for this more circumspect (!) language and form of reasoning
to emerge.
Perhaps I should publish the draft paper on the www.bestthinking.com site,
where it is open to editing suggestions? What do you think?
Warmest
Alan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jacques" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010 5:23 AM
Subject: Re: Education and Learning Virtual Networking Stream for ALARA's
8th World Congress
> 'amen' to that, dear Bob... I usually use the word 'circumscription' to
> replace 'definition' as it resonates well with the 'perambulation' idea of
> walking alongside others and 'narrating' the experience of the
> 'landscape'... indeed, it IS important to change our metaphors and other
> language when we do this kind of work even if it means that other have
> to
> agree to give that other language a chance...
> Love to all
>
> Jacques
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Practitioner-Researcher
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bob Dick
> Sent: Saturday, 8 May 2010 7:18 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Education and Learning Virtual Networking Stream for ALARA's
> 8th World Congress
>
>
>
> Speaking only for myself, here are a few comments on the issue of
> "what is action research?".
>
>
> For the most part I avoid debates about definitions. I do this
> because for the most part I don't think they are important. To my
> mind, meaning is more usefully negotiated than defined.
>
> It IS important though, I believe, to recognise when we use
> different words to describe the same "reality". And it's important
> to be aware that we use the same word with different meanings.
>
> (In case you're wondering, yes, I do think there is reality. I
> stick it in quotes only because I suspect some of you doubt its
> existence. In an action research study, "reality" is whatever I'm
> trying to help people to improve.)
>
> To my mind that doesn't mean that one definition or the other is
> correct. It means we have some listening and some negotiation to do
> before we can communicate meaningfully.
>
>
> Then there's the issue about what counts as action research.
> Personally, I don't expect the boundary around a meaning to be
> precise.
>
> Language requires us to chop the world up into pieces that can be
> labelled. Life would presumably be easier if it didn't; but that's
> how it is, I think. I find it useful to be mindful of this, and to
> assume that in "reality" the boundaries are fuzzy.
>
> The boundaries exist, I think. It's just that they aren't clear or
> precise.
>
> For me, there are some varieties of AR that are probably similar
> enough and common enough to be regarded as mainstream. Other
> varieties are nearer to the boundary. There may be some AR-like
> processes sitting outside the boundary.
>
> I suspect I've learned more from some of the varieties near the
> boundary than from the mainstream. I'm thinking, for instance, of
> some of the soft systems approaches, or appreciative inquiry. Or
> (to move beyond the boundary perhaps) participative evaluation.
>
> On occasion I've had reason to be pleased that I have had some
> training and experience as a laboratory experimentalist. It gives
> me an additional and different perspective on research and change.
>
> In addition, it seems to me that every AR or AL study I'm involved
> in is unique.
>
> So for me there is some irony in the proliferation of labels for the
> different varieties. Personally, I don't know what an action
> research study is going to be like until it's over. It keeps
> morphing. If I labelled every variation I'd multiply the labels
> already available. That doesn't seem useful.
>
>
> Very occasionally I even wonder if the term "action research" is
> useful. :-)
>
> On the other hand I do think your planned exercise is useful,
> Margaret, provided it isn't intended to be definitive.
>
> Cheers -- Bob
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> +- Bob Dick ------------------------------------------------------+
> | bd at uqconnect.net http://www.uqconnect.net/action_research/ |
> +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature
> database 5097 (20100509) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
|