Working together in a voluntary association: Participatory Action Research using Conversation Analysis

这项博士研究将是对自愿协会内部互动的案例研究调查，在参与式行动研究（PAR）框架内使用对话分析（CA），以记录和批判性地评估小组成员之间的沟通，并支持小组加强他们的流程并实现自己的目标。本研究将探讨：a)自愿协会的组织互动中发生了什么？b) (a)与团队成功实现其目标（如团队成员自己所理解的）有何关系和影响？c)（如何）将CA和PAR结合起来，产生对自愿协会的优先事项有用的、有目的的知识？本研究将有助于了解自愿协会在社会中所扮演的角色，以及了解群体决策过程。通过首次使用这种创新的研究方法组合，本研究也将有助于CA和PAR的发展。在PAR研究框架中使用CA有可能增加CA发现对组织的影响，通过提供专家建议，使参与者更深入地了解研究，并在采取行动方面进行更大的投资。与此同时，关于一群志愿者如何共同努力改变世界的知识可以帮助告知和加强PAR实践，因为PAR基于包容、参与、重视所有声音和以行动为导向的干预原则（O’neill 2010）。通过尝试CA和PAR的结合，我还将开发一种新的研究方法，其他希望结合这些方法的研究人员可以借鉴这种方法。

This PhD research will be a case-study investigation into interactions within a voluntary association, using conversation analysis (CA) within a participatory action research (PAR) framework in order to document and critically assess communication between group members and support the group to strengthen their processes and fulfil their own aims. The research will explore: a) What happens in organisational interactions of a voluntary association?b) (How) does (a) relate to and impact on the success of the group in achieving its aims (as understood by the group members themselves)?c) (How) can CA and PAR be combined to produce purposeful knowledge that is useful for and based on the priorities of a voluntary association?This study will contribute to understanding of the role voluntary associations play within society, and understanding of group decision-making processes. By making use of this innovative combination of research methods for the first time, this study will also contribute to the development of both CA and PAR. Using CA within a PAR research framework has the potential to allow increased impact of CA findings for an organisation, by moving beyond provision of expert advice towards deeper understanding of the research by participants and a stronger investment in taking action. Meanwhile, knowledge gained about how a group of volunteers work together to make change in the world could help to inform and enhance PAR practices, because PAR is based on principles of inclusion, participation, valuing all voices, and action-oriented interventions (O'Neill 2010). By piloting the combination of CA and PAR, I will also be developing a new way of doing research that could be drawn upon by other researchers wishing to combine these approaches.