Collaboration Processes in Practice Research Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University, Denmark [email protected]

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Besides the possibility of making social work more qualified it is the balance – or the conflicts – between the different partners that is interesting and challenging in practice research

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Society is in need of establishing new kinds of processes where knowledge production is based and established bottom-up

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

If we want scientific knowledge, and especially empirical evidence, to play an effective role in professional action, then we have to focus on the contexts where the processes of generating knowledge for action actually take shape, that is, on the organizations engaged in social work Gredig and Sommerfeld

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

To build up and qualify practice research it is necessary to obtain a better understanding of what the differences are and what they contain

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Science of the concrete Phronetic social science

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Key elements in science of the concrete are   

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getting close to reality emphasizing little things looking at practice before discourse studying concrete cases and contexts joining agency and structure dialoguing with a polyphony of voices Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

There should be an equal dialogue between research and practice – and service users should be Integral partners Fisher

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Society needs not only natural science but also phronetic-oriented social science to investigate fully developments and processes in modern societies Flyvbjerg

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Phronetic social science or science of the concrete constitutes both a theoretical and a methodological framework for practice research in social work

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Mode 2 knowledge production is characterised by application-oriented research where both frameworks and findings are discussed and evaluated by a number of partners – including laypeople – in public spheres

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Knowledge production arises in the light of a specific logic which participants must develop in common to be able to act together and towards the problem Kristiansson

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Mode 2 research is only valid if individuals or groups of people in the specific practice concerned find the results applicable and useful Rasmussen, Kruse and Holm

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Traditional research on social work Research questions and design, datacollection, analysis and information about the research are led and directed by external researchers Practice has no real say in the process Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

The second approach defines practice research as types of research, evaluations and investigations carried out by practitioners - focus is on the roles of the researchers

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research Practice based research is the use of research inspired principles, designs and research methods in everyday practice enabling participants to answer questions, which originates from practice and which will give answers in ways that will inform practice Epstein

Practice research is the phenomenon that occurs when practitioners commit themselves to something they call research in their own practice while they, at the same time, practice social work Ramian

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

The third approach defines practice research as types of research where research is carried out in a close collaboration between practice and research - under the management of educated researchers and research institutions - focus is on the frames and the goals of the research process

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

There is a need and demand for a close collaboration between practice and research Both parts do primarily “what they are best at” There are different interests in practice and in research

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Practice and research develop every single collaboration in common

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Practice research originates in the concerns of practice and develops practice-based solutions. It uses a collaborative, developmental approach that respects the knowledge held by practitioners and engages practitioners in the research process Fisher Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

The fourth approach focuses specifically on service userparticipation in research processes

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research 

Research that focuses on research on social work (approach one) will be defined as research on

social work 

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Research that focuses on processes controlled and accomplished by practitioners (approach two) will be defined as practitioner research Research that focuses on collaboration between practice and research (approach three) will be defined as practice research Research that focuses on service user participation (approach four) will be defined as

user controlled research

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research Research on social work

Practice research

Practitioner Research

Research

Practice

Research question

Problem

Data collection

Explanation

Analyses

Reflection

Conclusion

Action

Putting into perspective

Improvement

New questions

New problems

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Practice research is both part of traditional research processes and part of processes in practice and can easily include practitioner research – but it has its own position in between research on social work and practice

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Curiosity Critical reflection Critical thinking and decision making Austin, Dal Santo and Lee

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research      

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On the basis of these definitions practice research can be defined as: a critical research that describes, analyses and develops practice; a process where curiosity, critical reflection and critical thinking from both researchers and practitioners is in focus a type of research based on generally approved academic standards; a type of research build on experience from, knowledge and needs within social work practice; a type of research where the responsibility for the research is placed within generally approved research institutions; a close, binding, committed and locally based collaboration between research/research settings and practitioner/practice in planning, completion and dissemination of the research; a type of research where findings are closely connected to learning processes in practice; a learning process connected to traditional stages in research and practice; a participatory and dialogue based research relevant for developing practice and validating different expertise within the partnership; a type of research that – from a social work context – produces, analyses and describes concrete issues in both an empirical and a theoretical generalized coherence Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

The foundation of the approach is practice-minded researchers and research-minded practitioners

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

The service user position has to be discussed and negotiated in every research project

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

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The goal of the partnership was to: enhance practice qualifications exercised within regional or municipality settings; establish a research-based development of practice; create a platform for research in practice within the field of social work; establish exchange of experiences among practice, research and education; establish relevant training and education within the area of social work; and develop new types of research, education, and practice To support knowledge based learning processes in everyday social work and the development of research closely connected to practice in social work Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

The research process should involve all partners all the way through – from setting up the research questions, over collecting and analyzing data to discussing the findings

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

To try out and develop practice research

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Social workers from all three municipalities together with the researchers should meet two or three times during the process To discuss data, to discuss the analysis and to discuss the findings

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Through the discussions both parts got new understanding of the different meanings and approaches which turned out to become beneficial not only at this meeting but to the understanding of the findings and analysis

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Information about findings already began when having the first meetings and not only together with the final rapport

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

The final meeting made it possible to have a common critical discussion on: 

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both the findings concerning familyrapports within the municipalities and on analysis, theoretical approaches, use of research methods and the way of setting up findings

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Both parts primarily do “what they are best at” There are different interests in practice and in research

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research 

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The different interests of the different actors are important for each and every one of them – and significant to society The quality of function within the different groups of actors depends on the possibility of retaining these different interests Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Instead of trying to balance the differences, it is important to enlighten them

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

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The following stakeholders in practice research can be identified: Service users Social workers Administrative management and organizational framework Politicians Researchers Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Service users have a natural interest in receiving the most qualified individual support as possible

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Social workers are as a part of their work bound to a political, an organizational and a professional context

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

The administrative management and organizational framework is influenced by political defined boundaries, locally based cultures and political traditions

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Politicians primarily focus on tools to measure the effect of political decisions

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Researchers are influenced by their

own research area and university management requirements to qualify themselves within the academic field

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Practice research needs to and will develop and connect both out of contradictions and out of an understanding that collaboration is needed

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research Practice research is a field which is characterized by being influenced by and by having influence on practice at the same time A research field that is linked especially to practice and a field that even in its focus in depth and independence will be marked by the width of life In this understanding practice research in social work and social work practice have to walk hand in hand without becoming lovers

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research

Practice research collaboraion requires new positions and new roles for the researchers – as well as it will require new positions and roles for practitioners

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research No individual is skilled enough to give sufficient answers The role of both researcher and practitioner is to advance parts of the answer as an input in an ongoing dialogue concerning issues and risks mankind is confronted with and concerning how eventually to solve these issues Research and practice posses both part of the answer and part of the solution – by which position everybody (researchers, practitioners and service user) is producing knowledge

Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark

Collaboration Processes in Practice Research 

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Austin, Michael J., Dal Santo, Teresa S. and Lee, Chris (2012), Building Organizational Supports for Research-Minded Practitioners, Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 9:1-39, 2012 Epstein, I (2001) Mining for silver while dreaming of gold: Clinical data-mining in practice-based research in I. Epstein and S. Blumenfield Clinical Data-Mining in Practice-Based Research: Reflecting on Social Work Practice in Hospitals., Binghampton, N.Y., Hayworth Press Fisher, M. (2011) Practice Literate Research: Turning the Tables, Social Work & Society, Volume 9, Issue 1, 2011 Flyvbjerg, B. (1991) Rationalitet og magt, København: Akademisk Forlag Flyvbjerg, B. (2001) Making Social Science Matter: Why Social Inquiry Fails and How It Can Succeed Again, New York: Cambridge University Press Hunter, E. & Tsey, K. (2002) Indigenous health and the contribution of sociology: a review,

Health Sociology Review 11, 1-2, (http://hsr.e-contentmanagement.com/11.1/11-1p79.htm)

Kristiansson, M. R., (2006) Modus 2 vidensproduktion, DF Revy nr. 2, februar 2006, p. 18-21 Ramian, Knud (2003) Praksisforskning som læringsrum, Uden for Nummer 7/2003 Uggerhøj, Lars What is Practice Research in Social Work – Definitions, barriers and Possibilities, Social Work & Society, Vol. 9, 2011 Uggerhøj, Lars Theorizing practice research in social work, Social Work and Social Sciences review 14 (2), 2011 Lars Uggerhøj Aalborg University Denmark