Ravalier PhD Theis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

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2a) Research Question 1
“Can the results of a participatory Appreciative Inquiry methodology be successfully implemented
into a local borough council organisation”
Research question 1 was designed to determine whether organisational interventions designed via the
participatory AI process could be successfully implemented into the participating organisation. AI is a participatory
approach which captures the values and beliefs of individuals as experts in their own situation, allowing the
development of a vision for change (Atkin & Lawson, 2006). Chapter III, Section 1f explores points which
distinguish participatory research from 'traditional' research approaches, and the presented research satisfies
many aspects of these points making the AI process at least partially participatory. How the presented research
addresses each of these points is as follows:
1. Centrality of the participant to the research: while the lead researcher in the presented work acted as 'facilitator'
through the work, the participants' knowledge and understanding of their own working situation provided the data
for the presented research. Also results were fed back to participants in order for them to 'member check' the
outcomes.
2. A commitment to changing the balance of power: Participants were empowered to describe the areas working
well as well as those requiring improvement throughout the AI process, and in the development of organisational
improvements. Despite this, management acknowledgement and input was required in order to implement said
changes, although the changes would not occur without employee participation.
3. Participation in all stages of the research process: while the presented research included participants in many of
the stages of the research process, it was not possible to have them participate in all. For example, the wider area