Idea Networking Group

OUR SERVICE

We are looking for problems reported to us for investigation. From the narrative around concern for this problem, we can emerge the underlying set of concepts being used by those involved. This acts to sensemake or structure the problem, providing a set of organising principles to guide future actions.

Bring us your problems and we will provide the useful qualitative systems analysis.

OUR THEORY

Research should start from someone's problem (wicked or routine). It should emerge a set of inter-related concepts that provide a means of thinking (lens, perspective, conception) about the problem situation. Theory is just an explanation why and how, which comes after deciding what perspective is to be used to think about a problem. The perspective used needs to emerge from those involved in the problem. This is an inductive (or rather abductive) problem grounded approach.

Our understanding of human behaviour, how we think and therefore act, is based in the neo-pragmatists stream of systems thinking. This places the comparison of experienced patterns of actions (perspectives, conceptions) as the driving force of our thinking and subsequent action. John Dewey provides a classic example when thinking about how to get across town to a meeting. He points out that he can compare alternative conceptions (patterns of experiences past actions with consequnces). He might take the car, a bus, the train or walk. Each of these concepts can be reflected off (compared) to the concept of getting to a meeting acrosss town. Adding a new conception adds a new thought and a new possible action: hitch-hiking for example.

These alternative conceptions, perspectives, labels or tools for thinking, can be named so making language an initiator of how we think. Turning all this over, if we study the expressed concerns and comments of people we can reveal what concepts they are using to think about their problem. Once exposed these concepts can be managed.

OUR METHODS

Qualitative Cluster Analysis:

This uses network diagraming to extend Alexander's ideas networking.

Consequence Mapping:

This is a simplified and qualitative version of 'multiple cause diagramming' that non experts can use to find feedback loops inherent in the consequences of their actions.

Argument Mapping:

Extending Toulmins and van Gelder's work, this reveals the concepts used to structure people's reasoning.

Interpretive Research Study Course

Course Outline

1. SenseMaking Articles

2. Interpretive Research Methods

3. Idea Networking

EXAMPLE ARTICLES

4. Argument/Thesis

5. Qualitative Systems Analysis of Narrative

What Concepts Are Being Used To Interpret Your Problem Domain?

Our narrative analysis of stakeholders' concerns can reveal what underlying concepts these people are using to make sense of events occuring within any problem domain. Do analysts see the situation as innovative or conservative, do participants see it as quality, challenging and/or friendly? Are the concepts being used known, strategic and co-ordinated?

That humans use language to think about the world as it presents itself to us is now well supported by organisational, philosophical and psychological research [Vygotsky, Rorty, Wittgenstein, Kahneman, Morgan, Weick, Churchman]. Our research over the last 12 years has developed and applied three systems qualitative methods that extract the meta concepts in use in any narrative. This provides an 'underlying assumptions' or 'issues' analysis of any problem situation discussed in language.