The Interplay of Developmental and Dialogical Epistemologies

Abstract

The paper examines Developmental Work Research (DWR) –based interventions from theperspective of qualitative research. The motive comes from two directions. First, the DWR hasturned the scientific focus quite early toward trans- and interdisciplinary collaboration andmethodology. However, the approach has been recognized more through its intervention theoryand practice, and less as a particular research design, which can contribute to qualitativeresearch strategy. Second, there is a trend towards one-dimensional evidence-based approach,which foregrounds standards of methods in the context of new public management of science.The paper views developmental interventions as representing an alternative way of research withthe practice-inspired methodology offering practice-based source of evidence. To examine morethis alternative the paper deals with the question how developmental interventions can beconsidered research designs that make context and dialogue the basis of research. Consideringthe DWR methodology, the paper argues that although dialogue is central in actualizing anintervention, dialogical epistemology has remained as underdeveloped in the approach. Thepaper focuses on dialogicality and sense making in developmental interventions examining theprocesses of anchoring and objectification, object in relation to personal sense, and how theindividual and collective processes are linked and coexist in the complex relationship betweenpragmatic activity and social processes. As illustrations of ideas, pieces of data from conducteddevelopmental interventions are used.