Cultures of Inquiry
Hermeneutic Inquiry (Mindful Inquiry)
Phenomenology (Mindful Inquiry)
Epistemological Assumptions
Human behaviour comes prior to all social behaviour
Husserl stated that "consciousness is intentional" and that "our experience of the world does not just happen, it is constituted by our consciousness." (Bent & Shapiro, 1998, p. 97)
Nature of explanation - does not look at what causes something, but rather what it is.
Researcher Relationship
Researcher is the direct observer and gains knowledge directly from the feelings and images of the subject. Subjective in nature
Researcher's report is a co-creation of the lived experience of the observers and the observed.
Since analysis "delimits the meaning of observation, researcher gains understanding through empathy." (Bent & Shapiro, 1998, p. 99)
empathetic immersion
slowing down & dwelling
suspension of belief
employment of intense interest
questioning directed by researcher to own judgement
Data
Gathered through listening to, watching, and generally engaging in empathetic understanding of another person.
Decisions/choices from conscious intention
Meaning constructed through internal consciousness and unsconscious processes, as well as social interaction.
How do we think and feel?
Epistemological Assumptions
The Art and Science of Interpretation
Purpose is to identify the meaning of human expression within a given context and perspective
It is not meant to explain, it is mean to develop an interchange of the layers of reference of the researcher and subject
Determines that there is an interconectedness within the the elements of the intersubjective world
Researcher works within in a spiral of guessing, validating and continual resetting of boundaries - there is no starting point per se
Researcher Relationship
The closer to the object one is, the better the interpretation and accuracy
"Hermeneutics inquirer is the object of change" (Bent & Shapiro, 1998, p. 107)
Principle Problems & Concerns leading to this inquiry
...when help is needed in developing formal investigation lines and analytic questions
...when the meaning of data is needed, not the prediction of an event
...the need to provide contextual awareness
Data
Anything that is recognizable in a context - based on things said, interviews, biographical accounts, objects, historical records, texts etc...
Principle Problems and Concerns leading to this inquiry
...to gain access to the meaning of how humans express themselves and why
......when there is no established understanding from which to make valid inferences
...when there is a lack of trust with the previous lines of thought about behavious
...when there is a reason to look deeper into human behaviour and meaning
...used to make sense of an historical event, artifact, etc...
Must maintain autonomy of the subject of research, while also achieving a very close familiarity with it.
Researcher is part of the path of understanding - embedded in the historical context with the 'observed'
Evaluative Research
Action and Context-Oriented Approach 
Epistemological Assumptions/Orientation
Researcher Relationship
Principle Problems & Concerns leading to this inquiry
Commonly used by the public an non-profit sectors
When evidence is needed to prove that policies in place are working
Used for making people accountable
Used as a means of both eliminating from and improving a program
Situate themselves close to the subject/system
Connected to scientific research methods - associated with behavioural and quantitative science and ethnography
Focuses on change
Most often is concerned with the goal/outcome, but can also look into the process of a system
Seeks to compare what is happening with what should be happening
Objectives of a program need to be SMART, so research is based on this assumption
Often work in teams to split up the workload or to gain multiple views on the same topic
Researcher needs to be able to gain insight from variety of perspectives without bias
Most often an individual outside of the system/program - contracted out
Can find it difficult to stick to the traditional approaches when they are so close to the real life context of the subjects
Action Research
Statement of Intentions and Values 
Researcher Relationship
Epistemological Assumptions/ Orientation
Principle Problems and Concerns leading to this inquiry
"Intention is to change a system." (Bent & Shapiro, 1998, p. 127)
"Values are those of participation, self-determination, empowerment through knowledge and change." (Bent & Shapiro, 1998, p. 127)
If researcher is part of the system, more chance change will occurr
Participants and researcher work together to design, plan, implement and analyze results
Researcher acts as a facilitator of a process of inquiry (not a neutral party)
Kurt Lewin - used this method to encourage social change; "a spiral of steps" which includes fact finding, planning and action.
John Collier - include participants in the process (cooperative)
Past - used for changing the bahviour of individuals or a system toward a particular path
Present - involves the participants in the problem solving process more
References
Bent,V.M., & Shapiro, J. J. (1998). Mindful Inquiry in Social Research. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Pictures
Evaluative Inquiry: http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/assessment/CLIPs/EvalResearchMethods.htm
Hermeneutic Inquiry: http://www.sfu.ca/media-lab/cycle/extras/cycle_design.htm
Phenomanology: https://www.ids.ias.edu/~piet/publ/TucsonIII/tucsonIII.html
Can use any research methods - practical in nature to solve immediate problems
Best case scenario - research process becomes ingrained in the system in order to identify and solve future problems
Involvement and empowerment of the participants to encourage change