Moving beyond the comfort zone

We have already reached the end of unit 1. I have been exposed to many new concepts and so many different cultures of inquiry that my mind is spinning. I have been intrigued, trying to understand the implications and applications of each in my line of work. I have sought to expand my thinking beyond the traditional cultures of inquiry and read and re-read the opening chapters of our required text in an attempt to situate myself better in this process.

In the humanitarian assistance and disaster response world, research is emerging,  driven by greater ideals of alleviating human suffering but also by  the greater expectations of donors, requiring accountability. I have been reflecting on research in this context.

One statement made by the authors resonated with me and grounded me almost immediately:

 "Link your inquiry to the project of reducing suffering or increasing freedom, justice or happiness in the world, either locally or globally or both."

Somehow, it allowed me to finally see the light beyond the known parameters of the scientific method and quantitative approaches that I was most familiar with. Fuelled by a new resolve to explore more deeply other cultures of inquiry, I am launching myself beyond the familiar comfort zone.

The questions remain: How should I achieve this? What questions should I be asking? What are the implications of conducting research in such a volatile, political, ethically charged environment? 




Bentz, V.M., & Shapiro, J.J., (1998). Mindful Inquiry in Social Research. [Adobe Digital Editions Version]. doi: 10.4135/9781452243412

Making links

This is the second course of my program. Already, I am trying to make links and associations between the things I have learned and the things that I will be learning now. Delving into the world of learning theories and coming to terms with my own epistemological preferences has been interesting. Getting a glimpse of the philosophical, the behavioural and psychological approaches to learning and the interpretation of knowledge and making links with teaching methods and approaches has been stimulating.

Now, the process repeats itself with the topic of mindful social research. The various cultures of inquiry explored already, be they of philosophical, historical, anthropological or scientific foundations, are equally fascinating.  As I am from a pure sciences background, I am intrigued by the approaches used to investigate and research human behaviour or phenomena in a quantitative manner.

Making the link between what epistemological backgrounds shapes these different cultures of inquiry and understanding how that translates into meaningful research is the next challenge.