A reflective approach in practice research

Abstract

This article deals with partnership between practitioners, users and researchers in practice research and how to create recognition of each partners’ knowledge contribution. It is based on their participation in a particular project in which a reflective approach yielded new insights and understandings. Some challenges practitioners, users and researchers face as participants in practice research are discussed, as well as positive options explored through joint reflection. The participants must recognise and respect each other to develop a productive partnership since different partners may have their own special interests. The partners in our project identified joint reflections, where they participated as equal partners in a partnership, as their most interesting research experience. An important contribution from the researcher was to facilitate and promote a constructive process among the participants, but all participants’ expertise and special interests were utilised within the partnership that developed during the research process. Partnership in practice research is an interesting research approach that should be further explored.

Keywords:

• recognition
• reflection
• partnership in practice research
• user participation
• social work