Journal of Research Practice - JRP (Athabasca University Press)
Not a member yet
233 research outputs found
Sort by
Journey of Research Practice
Full text linkWelcome to the inaugural issue of the Journal of Research Practice (JRP). This journal has resulted from a widely shared interest that researchers in different disciplines and professional fields should communicate with each other freely and remain open to learn from each other’s individual journey of research.The title of this journal may look surprising to some readers. There may even be a legitimate doubt as to whether the journal would take-off at all, the title being so broad and unspecific. On the contrary, to be more optimistic, the journal could meet a long-felt need, i.e., that of bringing researchers, and various forms of organised inquiry, into fruitful connections with each other, without the restrictions imposed by formal disciplinary boundaries.Research and researchers have been the focus of many discussions in the past. These discussions have proliferated following different threads. There is a logical (and philosophical) thread that seeks to explicate the logic of research and the structure of scientific inquiry, seeking out the rules and methods deployed by researchers in arriving at justifiable results. It also delves into the ideology of scientific research. There is a sociological thread that seeks to understand research communities as social entities and knowledge as a product of social interaction among human beings. There is an institutional or political-economic thread that seeks to understand the workings of regional or national research systems--complete with their councils, funding, and power play. Likewise, there are other threads too, such as research as a space of struggle and resistance, research as a practice of freedom and self-transcendence, etc. There is something to be gained by bringing these threads together, in the hands of researchers themselves, no matter what disciplines or fields they might individually pursue
Implementing a Process for Integration Research: Ecosystem Services Project, Australia
Full text linkThis paper reports on the design and implementation of a multi-phase interactive process among a set of scientists, policy makers, land managers, and community representatives, so as to facilitate communication, mutual understanding, and participative decision making. This was part of the Ecosystem Services Project in Australia. The project sought to broaden public understanding about the natural ecosystems in Australia. The study reported here pertains to one of the project sites--the Goulburn Broken catchment, a highly productive agricultural watershed in the south-east of Australia. The paper demonstrates how, starting from a condition of diversity of ideas and interests among the participants, systematic dialogue and mutual learning could be generated, leading to identification of options for more sustainable land management practices. The concept of "ecosystem services" was used as an integrative tool across disciplines and community perspectives. The concept of scenarios was used to encourage future-focussed thinking among the participants. The idea of "stakeholder jury" was used to promote deliberation. A process of multi-criteria evaluation was used to facilitate convergence of viewpoints, through informed trade-offs and compromises. This experience led to the development of a process for integration research, which helped in harmonising across diverse understandings and values in a transparent and structured manner
Clarifying the Imperative of Integration Research for Sustainable Environmental Management
Full text linkThis paper discusses why integration is important in doing research for developing policy and practice of sustainable environmental management. The imperative of integration includes environmental, social, economic, and other disciplinary considerations, as well as stakeholder interests. However, what is meant by integration is not always clear. While the imperative is being increasingly enunciated, the challenges it presents are difficult and indicate a long term pursuit. This paper clarifies the different dimensions of integration, as an important preliminary step toward advancing mutual understanding and the development of approaches. The paper identifies the driving forces for integration, discusses when integration is required, categorises forms of integration, and proposes principles to inform research programs and projects