Annotated Bibliography And Literature Review
Critical consideration of Practitioner research
Aims
To consider how research is affected by being an insider/outsider
Examine the areas of research and writing which are affected by being a practitioner
Consider types of involvement and dilemmas faced
Examine a variety of practitioner journals for your own subject area
Types of practitioner research
Practitioner-led research
Practitioners examine aspects of their practice in order to improve it
Aims to improve and involve
Assesses, understands and evaluates
Generally qualitative
Academic-partnership research
Led by researchers rather than practitioners
Academic focus rather than practice focused
Assesses, understands and explains
Generally quantitative
(Shaw and Lunt, 2018)
Observation is an important part of research based upon gathering knowledge from events
Works across different settings/environments
Requires careful planning to observe and record accurately
Analysis is often challenging in terms of objectivity and ethics
The observational method is a widely accessed practitioner approach
Insider/outsider observer?
Observational techniques:
Researchers observe but are not involved
Recordings may be used, e.g. tape recorder or video camera
The main advantage is that the researcher exerts minimal influence on the group’s actions and might be seen to be impartial
Not necessarily give the insider view
May have an effect on the research scene
Non-Participant Observation
Researcher is part of the community, ‘scene’ or workplace
This creates understanding of the group consciousness/tacit skills to fit in
Includes research with ‘marginal’ groups and might be equated with practitioner research
Creates a more valid picture of social reality/organisational culture?
The researcher is less likely to impose their concepts and ideas on the setting
Useful in providing information which can form the basis of new hypotheses / contributes to Evidence Based Practice
Participant Observation
(i) Professionals carrying out a study in their work setting
(ii) Researchers belonging to, or accepted as a member of a community in which they are studying
(iii) Collaborative research: the researcher and participants are both active in the research
(iv) The researcher has empathy and understanding participants, due to own experiences
(v) Personal narrative whereby the researcher is the subject of the study
Rooney (2005) identified 5 different categories:
Research conducted by practitioners, as insiders, within their own profession
Methodology relates to the approach and will reflect the role of the practitioner
E.G. Qualitative research, action researchers
Adopted for an insider’s perspective may use such terms as ‘insider action research’ ‘participatory action research’
‘Practitioner-research’
There is a sense that those inside the area will have an enhanced insight
They might have both explicit and tacit understanding
They belong within the setting and so are less intrusive
Those who work within the area or use the service will not feel threatened by an insider
Insider view the real story
There will be in-depth knowledge and understanding from the insider
They have ‘tacit’ knowledge and will understand the process and the working practices
They will also fit in with the ethos and the culture within the organisation
An outsider would have to spend time becoming familiar and gaining trust
Expert Knowledge
Practitioner research is based around Evidence Based Practice
Frequently used in education and health & social care
Finds an overlap between the academic and the practical
Is about pushing knowledge and challenging and moving forward practice
Often based upon a collaborative partnership
Practitioner Research & Practice
Ethical challenges based on collecting information about colleagues and service users
Vested in the environment which might create difficulty when being critical
Objectivity can be difficult for an insider
Identifying poor practice and raising with management can be challenging
Possible dilemmas
Use of Gatekeepers
Being part of the organisation gives access to participants
Importance of networks
Collaborative Projects
Accessing Participants…
Writing about Practice
Research, observations and reflections are useful to share within a professional environment
This is how services are developed as professionals meet together
Sharing best practice more widely might lead to policy and procedure within an organisation
However, the wish to share ideas more widely in terms of a national and international arena leads to publications
Some useful websites
Why we need more practitioner research
Supporting practitioner research
The General Teaching Council for Scotland – Current Academic/Practitioner Research
OpenLearn , Open University – Practitioner research
Practitioner journals
Early childhood studies https://www.nurseryworld-magazine.co.uk/? infinity=gaw~Brand%252BUK%252BENG%252BSPART~Nursery%2520World%252BEXACT~297410925096~nursery%2520world~e&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIks2P5-nu3QIVhrDtCh0wJQ7XEAAYASAAEgICLfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Community Development https:// academic.oup.com/cdj
Youth https:// link.springer.com/journal/10964
Health and Social Care
https :// academic.oup.com/bjsw
Summary and group discussion
Practitioner based research provides some valuable insights
It is an important way to share practice initiatives
The basis of practitioner research is often connected with Evidence Based Practice
Discussion:
There are a number of advantages but if you, as a practitioner, researched and wrote about your area, what problems might you face?
References
Rooney P. (2005) Researching from the inside – does it compromise validity? Dublin Institute of Technology Level 3 May 2005, Issue 3
Shaw, I. and Lunt, N. (2018) Forms of Practitioner Research. British Journal of Social Work: 48, 141–157 doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcx024