Co-operative inquiry is a radically participative form of inquiry in which all those involved are both co-researchers and co-subjects. The methodology of co-operative inquiry is set out in a ‘Layperson’s Guide’ which might be used to introduce the method to a new group. This is followed by a reflection on the learning process of an inquiry group, particularly the process of research cycling, the importance of the peer group, and the paradoxical self-reflexive quality of attention. Finally, co-operative inquiry is compared with other action approaches.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Argyris, C. , Putnam, R. and Smith, M. C. (1985) Action Science: Concepts, Methods, and Skills for Research and Intervention. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
2.
Aymer, C. (in preparation) ‘Creating Knowledge for Black Cultural Renewal’, PhD dissertation, University of Bath.
3.
Bateson, G. (1972) Steps to an Ecology of Mind. San Francisco: Chandler.
4.
Bryan, A. (in preparation) ‘Experiences of Black Students and Professionals in Higher education’, PhD dissertation, University of Bath.
5.
Centre for Action Research in Professional Practice (1998) Website: http://www.bath.ac.uk/carpp/.
6.
Cooperrider, D. L. and Srivastva, S. (1987) ‘Appreciative Inquiry in Organizational Life’, in R. Woodman and W. Pasmore (eds) Research in Organizational Change and Development, vol. 1. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
7.
Cox, J. S. A. (1996) ‘A Perspective View of the “Affect” and “Effects” of Obesity and its Treatment’, unpublished MSc dissertation, Brunel.
8.
Davis, M. S. (1971) ‘That’s Interesting! Towards a Phenomenology of Sociology and a Sociology of Phenomenology’, Phil. Soc. Sci1: 309-344.
9.
Douglas, C. (1999) ‘From Surviving to Thriving: Black Women’s Managers in Britain’, PhD dissertation, University of Bath.
10.
Goodwin, B. (1994) How the Leopard Changed its Spots: The Evolution of Complexity. London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson.
11.
Hampden-Turner, C. (1970) Radical Man. London: Duckworths.
12.
Heron, J. (1989) The Facilitators Handbook. London: Kogan Page.
13.
Heron, J. (1996) Co-operative Inquiry: Research into the Human Condition. London: Sage.
14.
Heron, J. (1997) International Centre for Co-operative Inquiry, Tuscany, Italy. Http://zeus.sirt. pisa.it/icci [Website].
15.
Heron, J. (1998) Sacred Science: Person-centred Inquiry into the Spiritual and the Subtle. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.
16.
Heron, J. and Reason, P. (eds) (1985) Whole Person Medicine: A Co-operative Inquiry. University of London: British Postgraduate Medical Federation.
17.
Heron, J. and Reason, P. (1997) ‘A Participatory Inquiry Paradigm’, Qualitative Inquiry3(3): 274-294.
18.
Kolb, D. (1984) Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. London: Prentice-Hall.
19.
Lyotard, J.-F. (1979) The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge (trans. by Geoff Bennington and Brian Massumi). Manchester: Manchester University Press.
20.
Meadows, D. H. , Meadows, D. L. and Randers, J. (1992) Beyond the Limits: Global Collapse or a Sustainable Future. London: Earthscan.
21.
Onyett, S. (1996) ‘Young Women Managers: A Co-operative Inquiry’, unpublished course-work project, University of Bath.
22.
Perls, F. , Hefferline, R. and Goodman, P. (1951) Gestalt Therapy. New York: Dell Publishing Company.
23.
Pratt, J. , Gordon, P. and Plamping, D. (1999) Working Whole Systems. London: King’s Fund.
24.
Reason, P. (ed.) (1988) Human Inquiry in Action. London: Sage.
25.
Reason, P. (1991) ‘Power and Conflict in Multidisciplinary Collaboration’, Complementary Medical Research3(3): 144-150.
26.
Reason, P. (ed.) (1994) Participation in Human Inquiry. London: Sage.
27.
Reason, P. (1998a) ‘Political, Epistemological, Ecological and Spiritual Dimensions of Participation’, Studies in Cultures, Organizations and Societies4: 147-167.
28.
Reason, P. (1998b) ‘A Participatory World’, Resurgence168: 42-44.
29.
Reason, P. (1999) ‘General Medical and Complementary Practitioners Working Together: The Epistemological Demands of Collaboration’, Journal of Applied Behavioural Science35(1): 71-86.
30.
Reason, P. and Goodwin, B. (1998) ‘Complexity Theory and Co-operative Inquiry’, unpublished paper, Centre for Action Research in Professional Practice, University of Bath, submitted to Concepts and Transformation.
31.
Reason, P. and Heron, J. (1986) ‘Research With People: The Paradigm of Co-operative Experiential Inquiry’, Person Centred Review1(4): 456-475.
32.
Reason, P. and Marshall, J. (1987) ‘Research as Personal Process’, in D. Boud and V. Griffin (eds) Appreciating Adult Learning. London: Kogan Page.
33.
Reason, P. , Chase, H. D., Desser, A., Melhuish, C., Morrison, S., Peters, D., Wallstein, D., Webber, V. and Pietroni, P. C. (1992) ‘Toward a Clinical Framework for Collaboration Between General and Complementary Practitioners’, Journal of The Royal Society of Medicine86: 161-164.
34.
Schon, D. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner. New York: Basic Books.
35.
Senge, P. (1990) The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday.
36.
Senge, P. M. , Kleiner, A., Roberts, C., Ross, R. B. and Smith, B. J. (1994) The Fifth Discipline Handbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday.
37.
Spretnak, C. (1997) The Resurgence of the Real: Body, Nature and Place in a Hypermodern World. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
38.
Suzuki, S. (1988) Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. New York: Weatherhill.
39.
Torbert, W. R. (1991) The Power of Balance: Transforming Self, Society, and Scientific Inquiry. Newbury Park: Sage.
40.
Toulmin, S. and Gustavsen, B. (eds) (1996) Beyond Theory: Changing Organizations Through Participation. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
41.
Traylen, H. (1988) ‘Confronting Hidden Agendas: Co-operative Inquiry with Health Visitors’, in P. Reason (ed.) Participation in Human Inquiry, pp. 59-81. London: Sage.
42.
Traylen, H. (1989) ‘Health Visiting Practice: An Exploration into the Nature of the Health Visitor’s Relationship with their Clients’, unpublished MPhil dissertation, University of Bath.