Unitary Appreciative Inquiry (UAI): A new approach for researching social work education and practice

Authors: Hughes, M.

Journal: British Journal of Social Work

Volume: 42

Issue: 7

Pages: 1388-1405

eISSN: 1468-263X

ISSN: 0045-3102

DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcr139

Abstract:

This paper presents a methodological discussion of unitary appreciative inquiry (UAI) drawing on my own doctoral research and wider literature. It considers its potential as a research tool, therapeutic intervention and an educative tool within social work practice and education due to its congruence with professional social work values. UAI seeks to gain rich and deep insight. Participants are recognised as the expert of their own experience and power is shared through participatory and appreciative approaches. The aim is for participants to benefit directly from the research process as they are supported to express, analyse and reflect on their experience and to make changes that could improve their lives. Creative media such as music, art, creative writing and digital stories are used to facilitate expression and analysis. UAI seeks a synoptic perspective when viewing the wide range of data that has been generated within a research inquiry. Instead of analysing as separate parts, this is viewed as a whole and distilled to create a snapshot that seeks to capture the whole person and their experience. Insight gained from the presentation of research findings can provide a catalyst from which others can reflect, analyse and evaluate their own practice. © 2011 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/18640/

Source: Scopus

Unitary Appreciative Inquiry (UAI): A New Approach for Researching Social Work Education and Practice

Authors: Hughes, M.

Journal: BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK

Volume: 42

Issue: 7

Pages: 1388-1405

eISSN: 1468-263X

ISSN: 0045-3102

DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcr139

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/18640/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Unitary appreciative inquiry (UAI): A new approach for researching social work education and practice

Authors: Hughes, M.

Journal: British Journal of Social Work

Volume: 42

Issue: 7

Pages: 1388-1405

ISSN: 0045-3102

DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcr139

Abstract:

This paper presents a methodological discussion of unitary appreciative inquiry (UAI). It considers its potential as a research tool, therapeutic intervention and an educative tool within social work practice and education due to its congruence with professional social work values. UAI seeks to gain rich and deep insight, understanding and knowledge of an experience from the person themselves. Participants are recognised as the expert of their own experience and power is shared through participatory and appreciative approaches. The aim is for participants to benefit directly from the research process as they are supported to express, analyse and reflect on their experience and to make changes which could improve their lives. Creative media such as music, art, creative writing and digital stories are used to facilitate expression and analysis. UAI seeks a synoptic perspective when viewing the wide range of data that has been generated within a research inquiry. Instead of analysing as separate parts, this is viewed as a whole and distilled to create a snapshot which seeks to capture the whole person and their experience. Insight gained from the presentation of research findings can provide a catalyst from which others can reflect, analyse and evaluate their own practice.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/18640/

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Mel Hughes

Unitary appreciative inquiry (UAI): A new approach for researching social work education and practice

Authors: Hughes, M.

Journal: British Journal of Social Work

Volume: 42

Issue: 7

Pages: 1388-1405

ISSN: 0045-3102

Abstract:

This paper presents a methodological discussion of unitary appreciative inquiry (UAI). It considers its potential as a research tool, therapeutic intervention and an educative tool within social work practice and education due to its congruence with professional social work values. UAI seeks to gain rich and deep insight, understanding and knowledge of an experience from the person themselves. Participants are recognised as the expert of their own experience and power is shared through participatory and appreciative approaches. The aim is for participants to benefit directly from the research process as they are supported to express, analyse and reflect on their experience and to make changes which could improve their lives. Creative media such as music, art, creative writing and digital stories are used to facilitate expression and analysis. UAI seeks a synoptic perspective when viewing the wide range of data that has been generated within a research inquiry. Instead of analysing as separate parts, this is viewed as a whole and distilled to create a snapshot which seeks to capture the whole person and their experience. Insight gained from the presentation of research findings can provide a catalyst from which others can reflect, analyse and evaluate their own practice.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/18640/

Source: BURO EPrints