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Beyond the Usual Suspects: Critically Informed Research.

Author

  • Peter Bednar
  • Christine Welch

Editor

  • Ann Brown

Summary, in English

A number of researchers have attempted to define and encapsulate the essence of ‘critical research’. It has been suggested to encompass interpretation of social phenomena, and seeks for understandings that could support efforts to bring about beneficial change. It has been further suggested that such work is characterised by: concern with substantive social issues (e.g. power, values); foundation in a cohesive socio-theoretical core; and a distinctive role in informing the work of others. Within this definition, critical researchers tend to fall into a number of distinct traditions of thought/practice. For instance, some concern themselves with issues relating to emancipation of (other) people within society (e.g. those influenced by the work of Habermas). Some focus upon issues of self-emancipation (e.g. those deriving from Foucault’s discussion of external power relations). Others highlight issues relating to social stratification and discriminatory practices in society (e.g. those taking inspiration from work by Bourdieu). This paper introduces discussion of a further category of critical systemic thinking, exemplified by Gregory Bateson and Claudio Ciborra. Critically-informed research from a systemic perspective involves a desire to explore the unique and to question assumptions. Through engagement with reflection and exploration, perceptions of individual emergence form an important aspect of this strand.

Publishing year

2008

Language

English

Pages

73-80

Publication/Series

[Host publication title missing]

Document type

Conference paper

Publisher

ACI Academic Conferences International

Topic

  • Information Systems, Social aspects

Keywords

  • Critically Informed Research
  • Contextual Inquiry
  • Research Methods
  • Contextual Analysis

Conference name

7th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies, 2008

Conference date

2008-06-19 - 2008-06-20

Conference place

London, United Kingdom

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISBN: 978-1906638-03-0