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Reflective Practices in Community Development: a Grounded Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Juan M. Moreno

    (University of Brighton)

  • Kaliat Ammu Sanyal

    (University of Brighton)

  • Firooz Firoozmand

    (University of Brighton)

  • Pauline Rutter

    (University of Brighton)

  • Marie K. Harder

    (University of Brighton)

Abstract

Reflective practices (RPs) are recognized as fundamental for the conception, development, implementation and improvement of community-based development in international development. Despite acknowledgement that RPs are needed, the ways in which reflection can take place within Community Development (CD) contexts remains under-examined. In this study, the authors conduct a grounded thematic analysis of a values-based elicitation and articulation approach with three community organizations in order to: (i) identify specific elements in the processes of reflection; (ii) explore how identified themes relate to existing concepts within RPs literature, and any useful insights to CD contexts; (iii) explore the ways in which values-based elicitation approaches facilitate RPs. UK organisations are used for convenience, but the study is for transferable learning to international development. In their analysis, the authors identify four main themes: Reasoning (justification, articulation, recall), Active listening (nuanced expansion, replication), Collective articulation (semantic cooperation, semantic negotiations, semantic disagreements), and Tension (confusion, resistance). These highlight the multi-dimensional, non-linear nature of RPs, the importance of productive tensions, and the need for the facilitators enabling processes of RPs to develop skills such as active listening, working with tensions and deep semantic negotiations. Findings indicate this approach can open up new lines of investigation of mechanisms underlying RPs which could assist in planning reliably for them. Challenges and opportunities for further research are outlined.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan M. Moreno & Kaliat Ammu Sanyal & Firooz Firoozmand & Pauline Rutter & Marie K. Harder, 2020. "Reflective Practices in Community Development: a Grounded Analysis," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 33(5), pages 501-525, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:syspar:v:33:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1007_s11213-019-09496-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11213-019-09496-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Archibald, Thomas & Sharrock, Guy & Buckley, Jane & Cook, Natalie, 2016. "Assumptions, conjectures, and other miracles: The application of evaluative thinking to theory of change models in community development," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 119-127.
    2. Gemma Burford & Elona Hoover & Lee Stapleton & Marie K. Harder, 2016. "An Unexpected Means of Embedding Ethics in Organizations: Preliminary Findings from Values-Based Evaluations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Rick James, 2010. "Vices and Virtues in Capacity Development by International NGOs," IDS Bulletin, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 41(3), pages 13-24, May.
    4. Peter Clarke & Katy Oswald, 2010. "Introduction: Why Reflect Collectively on Capacities for Change?," IDS Bulletin, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 41(3), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Moreno, Juan M. & Noguchi, Lori M. & Harder, Marie K., 2017. "Understanding the Process of Community Capacity-Building: A Case Study of Two Programs in Yunnan Province, China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 122-137.
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