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In the early meetings, the practitioner researchers were learning the craft of
doing research. We had different degrees of experience with research, but this
was the first time for us to research our practice. The research group had to
re-think what we knew about research and how the skills in the academic research
field could be helpful in the ABE/Literacy field. With Marina's
guidance, the practitioner researchers learned how to write autobiographical
pieces, journal daily activities, develop interview questions, and code data.
Group Dynamic
The research group consisted of eight women between the ages of 42 and 57.
We had a combination of partnerships and family experiences. At most meetings
seven of us were present.10 Marina facilitated the early meetings where
we were learning how to do research and making major decisions about project
direction. She helped us know the options that have been tried and
helped us see places where we seemed to be looking for new options. Later
meetings were co-facilitated by Evelyn and Marina, and then the group took
over, taking turns to facilitate conference calls and meetings.
We had to learn early on how to work with each other. Like many groups,
some people tended to talk more than others. Some played more of a listening
role. Some were out front in all the decisions. Some members were comfortable
with fast talking, interrupting and over talking. Others were not
comfortable with that. Within this dynamic, there were people who churned
up the waters and others who smoothed things out. Learning how to work
with each other is something we did right to the very end of the project. In
fact, it took us until the end to figure out the best way to work with each
other, and to complete this project.
Over the course of the project, each person on the team went through different
issues in her professional as well as personal life. Job situations changed,
and work environments were influenced by the shifting provincial policies.
We went through some phases of the life cycle as a group of middle-aged
women: becoming a grandmother, death of a mother, illness of a daughter,
and own illness and dealing with constant pain and medication. These experiences
sometimes brought added stress to the group dynamics, especially
when dealing with personal ideas and writing styles. At times, team members
felt more vulnerable than at other times. Through the process, we experienced
a wide range of emotions: frustration, anxiety, curiosity, satisfaction,
joy, and, ultimately, relief. This intensity of emotion was due to the steep
learning curve we experienced. We learned how to make sense of research in
practice, generating, collecting and analyzing data, and we learned how to do
it all in a collaborative manner.
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