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Activity 2. Paradigms and Theories

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Edited by Arwen Bailey, Thursday, 10 Nov 2011, 05:01

Identify an example of a paradigm and related theories and concepts that are relevant to the ideas that you are considering for your research.

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Paradigm as a worldview.

I am working within various paradigms i think.

the first is a Systems Paradigm. The researcher as part of the situation, ethics, multiple perspectives, separation of cause and effect, non linear causality, multi variables, how you engage, manage, contextualize. I very much subscribe to the second order cybernetic view - I am in the universe not on the outside looking in 'objectively'.

I don't know how to describe the second one very well (a Gender Paradigm? an Empowerment Paradigm?).  it is a world view which believes that there solutions to Africa's problems of poverty and hunger can and should be largely home grown.

A third paradigm, or possibly an extension of the second is that women are fundamental to the future of Africa.

Theories and concepts i find relevant are:

  • CoP theory
  • (Critical) Social Learning (Systems)theory. Actually i prefer the term Societal Learning like Gujit and Woodhill. Ie it is not an instrumental term about learning in groups, but about change in society.
  • Theories of empowerment
  • Theories of leadership
  • Theories of institutions
  • Theories of transformational change
  • Complexity theories

Oops. 7 lots of theories. too many maybe??? or will they all fit seamlessly into my 10,000 words...

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