Within the Discussion Board area, write 500–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas. Focus on the following questions:
Part I: Acquiring knowledge through dialogue is an important aspect of action research (AR), and so is the iterative, cyclical nature of it. Why is dialogue so important? Explain your rationale and support your opinion with literature by citing 3 scholarly references.
Part II:
Respond to the following questions about your relationship with your client:
- What steps have you started taking with your client toward generating dialogue and knowledge?
- How did the client react?
- What worked?
- What would you do differently?
- What surprised you?
- What did you learn?
- What are you going to do next?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor responsible for designing and conducting lectures, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback through examinations and assignments, I understand the importance of acquiring knowledge through dialogue, especially in the context of action research. In this response, I will focus on the importance of dialogue in action research and provide my opinions supported by scholarly references. Additionally, I will answer the questions regarding my relationship with my client, steps taken towards dialogue and knowledge, client reaction, what worked, what would be done differently, surprises, and lessons learned.
Part I:
Acquiring knowledge through dialogue is crucial in action research, and so is the iterative, cyclical nature of the process. Dialogue plays a vital role in the dissemination and co-creation of knowledge and promotes a collaborative learning experience. Dialogue in action research facilitates knowledge exchange between all stakeholders, including the researcher, clients, and participants, which allows for the co-creation of new knowledge and perspectives (Brydon-Miller, Greenwood, & Maguire, 2003).
Moreover, dialogue promotes understanding between different perspectives as a prerequisite for effective problem-solving (Freire, 2000). Freire emphasizes the importance of dialogue as a tool for liberating people from oppressive social structures. This implies that dialogue is a democratic tool for challenging power relations and promoting social justice in research activities. Moreover, Engeström (2015) highlights how dialogue and knowledge sharing allow us to co-create a learning environment that promotes knowledge dissemination, problem-solving, and collaborative learning.
Therefore, I agree that dialogue is a vital aspect of action research as it allows for the co-creation and dissemination of knowledge, promotes a collaborative learning environment, enables understanding between different perspectives, and challenges power structures.
Part II:
As a medical professor, I have developed a professional relationship with clients, which involves generating dialogue and knowledge. With clients, I have started taking steps towards achieving dialogue and knowledge exchange through active listening and open communication. Encouraging clients to express their opinions and providing them with equal opportunities to communicate during meetings, consultations, and feedback sessions has been my approach to generating dialogue and knowledge.
Clients’ reactions towards open communication and knowledge exchange have been positive, and this approach has worked well in establishing trust and rapport with clients. Clients have often expressed that they feel valued as their opinions and suggestions are heard and considered.
However, I have learned that a one-size-fits-all approach to generating dialogue and knowledge may not work for all clients. Some clients may require more time and support to express their opinions and ideas comfortably. Thus, I would be completing a client assessment to accurately identify their needs and preferences to generate dialogue effectively.
One of the most surprising findings were moments where clients provided insights that differed significantly from my initial beliefs or expectations. This highlighted the importance of dialogue and a collaborative approach to research that allows for different perspectives and the co-creation of knowledge.
Overall, my experience with generating dialogue and knowledge has been positive. I have learned the importance of open communication, active listening, and a collaborative approach that respects clients’ needs and preferences. On the next client-project, I will incorporate more active listening and open line of communication.
