The instruments of qualitative methodology are certainly one of the 20th century’s greatest achievements among the different research methods in the humanities and social sciences, especially among ...those that deal with the discourse and world view of the other – the informant, his or her verbal, visual and other messages. In this period several important reflections on the forms and limits of research practice took place: reflections on the informant and the images and theories of the world with which he or she lives and co-creates his or her life~on the ways and means of recording and translating statements or field information into a language that is understandable to academic circles and the interested public~and last but not least, reflections on the researcher’s world view with and through which he or she interprets and attempts to understand the culture of the other.
The current contribution focuses on evaluation research as a process of learning and development for practice, by looking at conditions of collaboration between practice and research in two examples. ...We exemplify that learning from evaluation in complex programme settings is related to the nature of the collaboration between social work agencies and researchers. Findings are based on two similar cases of evaluation research for interagency collaboration in Germany and Slovenia. Results show that a symbiotic collaboration between research and practice enhances the learning and development potential for practice, but also that the balance between organizing the collaboration process and leaving room for experimental and ad hoc decisions needs to be guarded. Both advantages and disadvantages of planning and stability need to be taken into account when doing practitioner evaluation research.
The Handbook of Academic Writingoffers practical advice to busy academics who want, and are often required, to integrate writing into their working lives. It defines what academic writing is, and the ...process of getting started through to completion, covering topics such as:
Gaining momentumReviewing and revisingSelf-disciplineWriting regularlyWriters' groups and retreatsAcademic writing is one of the most demanding tasks that all academics and researchers face. In some disciplines there is guidance on what is needed to be productive, successful writers; but in other disciplines there is no training, support or mentoring of any kind. This book helps those in both groups not only to improve their writing skills and strategies, but, equally importantly, to find satisfaction in engaging in regular and productive writing.Underpinned by a diverse range of literature, this book addresses the different dimensions of writing. The fresh approach that Murray and Moore explore in this book includes developing rhetorical knowledge, focusing on writing behaviours and understanding writing contexts.This book will help writers in academic contexts to develop a productive writing strategy, not only for research monitoring exercises, but also for the long term.