Research
We want our work to make sense to people, to reflect their experiences and understandings. We can only do this if we talk to people, test ideas and collect information to design or reinforce an idea, concept or activity.
We research to be inspired, to incorporate and build on ideas and learning, to review and evaluate work. We look at information produced by local groups and organisations, strategies and action plans developed by public agencies, policy documents and guidance developed by national government, national and international journals relating to our fields of interest.
Whenever we can, we work with small groups of people to undertake action research. Often a core part of consultancy projects to develop tools and frameworks, these groups are dynamic – pooling information and experiences from different places, learning from each other and providing opportunities and inspiration for contributions.
On the whole, we think about this aspect of our work in terms of having ‘a strategy for research’ rather than being about methods: planning to be participative, reflective, about change, practical and applied – research with an aim, integrating research and action. Involving a broader spectrum of people in dialogue and action as well as involving the client. We reflect on our own practice in and during the process – emphasising critical reflection and strategic planning.
A resource
You might be interested in this document that Jill Bedford & Sue Gorbing developed and wrote for ARVAC:
Community Research – Getting Started: A resource pack for community groups
Introduction,
Section1,
Section2,
Section3,
Section4,
Section5,
Section6,
Section7,
Section8