Facilitating Practitioner Research

This insightful work explores the complexities of practitioner inquiry and emphasizes the importance of developing strong partnerships in Facilitating Practitioner Research.

The book Facilitating Practitioner Research delves into the intricate dilemmas and challenges that surface in the realm of practitioner inquiry. It emphasizes that facilitating such research transcends merely offering guidance on methodological approaches, important as that may be. It also involves demonstrating research practices and highlighting relevant resources and theories. More crucially, it necessitates the development of robust reciprocal partnerships that enhance professional knowledge within both academic and practical contexts.

When engagement in practitioner research is actively pursued, significant aspects of authentic 'praxis development' for both field-based and academic practitioners come to light. The authors investigate several key themes, including how praxis can be evaluated through the lenses of functional and substantive rationality, as well as the broader life, world, and system-related issues that practitioners face. They also discuss the professional attitudes required to foster transformative partnerships between practitioners and academics.

The book draws upon a wealth of case studies from The Netherlands, Sweden, and Australia, which not only illustrate the concepts discussed but also reveal the contradictions and tensions inherent in these partnerships. These case studies highlight the quality of relationships between academia and practice, exploring how this quality influences educational practices. Facilitating Practitioner Research is designed to resonate with academics engaged in practitioner research and will be a valuable resource for practitioners across various educational sectors, including researchers, teachers, and policymakers.