Full Description
Conventional research methods often marginalise the voices of those most affected by the issues being studied, limiting the potential for meaningful, transformative change. In education, health, social care, community development and many other fields, there is a growing need for research that is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to real-world complexity.
This textbook offers a comprehensive introduction to co-operative inquiry: a participatory research methodology grounded in collaboration, reflection, and shared knowledge creation. Acting as a how-to guide and companion text, it supports readers in designing and conducting ethical, practice-based research that draws on lived experience as much as professional expertise. The authors demonstrate how co-operative inquiry can integrate action research and mixed methods to produce both nuanced and authentic insights.
With guidance from leading experts and emerging voices in the field, this book is an essential resource for ethical researchers at every career stage. It equips readers with the confidence, tools, and inspiration to generate impactful, equity-driven knowledge.
Contents
1. Making research participatory, democratic, inclusive and accessible: the cooperative Inquiry methodology - Monica Short, Joanne Rose, and Carmel Halton
2. What is Co-operative Inquiry? - Monica Short, Erica Russ, Amanda Howard
3. Why Co-operative Inquiry? The ontology, epistemology and ethos of cooperative inquiry as a participatory method - Elizabeth Reimer, Monica Short, Emma Rush, Melissa Petrakis, Susan Evans, Caroline Walters, Ndungi Munagi, Louise Morley
4. Engaging People in Research - Melissa Petrakis, Katrina Gersbach, Caroline Lambert, Caroline Walters, Erica Russ, Amanda Howard, Monica Short
5. Applying a Co-operative and Collaborative Leadership Approach - Brenda Morris, Erica Russ, Katrina Gersbach, Emma Rush
6. Co-operative Inquiry in Communities - Rohena Duncombe, Cass Hearn, Lynn Berger, Monica Short
7. Approaching Co-operative Inquiry as a Student Researcher - Erica Russ, Joanne Rose, Debbie Clatworthy, Amy McLaughlin, Kim Doyle, Louise Morley, Lynn Berger, Monica Short
8. Using Co-operative Inquiry To Capture Practice Wisdom Through Organisational Partnerships - Caroline Walters, Melissa Petrakis, Jill Garratt, Julie Perrin, Monica Short, Louise Whitaker, Lynn Berger, Charmaine Nicoll
9. How Co-operative Inquiry Can Inform Inclusive Curriculum Design Processes - Erica Russ, Louise Morley, Joanne Rose, Brenda Morris, Katrina Gersbach, Caroline Lambert, Lynn Berger
10. How to Adopt Co-operative Inquiry as a Core Methodology and Create a Research Narrative - Amanda Howard, Melissa Petrakis, Elizabeth Reimer, Monica Short
11. Conclusion - Joanne Rose, Monica Short, Carmel Halton
