p434. Purpose guides analysis. So what is my purpose:
Applied qualitative research? If audience is scholars, then judged by "rigor and contribution to theory". If policy makers, relevance, clarity, utility and applicability of the findings willl become most important.
In TMA02, I called my approach "pragmatic, constructivist, critical" so let's keep that to the forefront of our minds when thinking about the purpose. I said it is for action and improvement and aimed at usefulness.
This is a kind of action research, kind of testing CoP theory? Well Yes in the sense that I expect the people involved to "share the analysis process" with me (p436), and that is by the way one form of triangulation. If my 'findings' make sense or make no sense to them.
But, there is also the purpose of the End of Module Assessment - the thesis as it were, which needs to follow the rules set down in the instructions and not 100% compatible with the way i do things.
Bear in mind, Arwen, that this research was born from an interest in social learning systems... it would be useful and satisfying if I could link back to that elegantly at the end.
Tags: social learning systems, research, analysis, purpose, cop