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This thesis contains no material which has been submitted for examination in any other course or accepted for the award of any other Degree or Diploma in any University. To the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text.
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The Study Circle. Participatory Action Research, With and For the Unemployed. “There is a whole ocean of error and a few islands of truth, and neither chart nor compass to go by. We build up the map by accumulating shipwrecks… (Connell 1983: 252).” Mark Brophy Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctorate of Philosophy in Education and Training by Thesis at Victoria University. February, 2001 Table of contents Table of contents Table of appendices Declaration of authorship Acknowledgments Guide to acronyms List of tables Abstract Page Number Introduction to Part one – methodology/literature review 1 Chapter one 3 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Chapter two 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 Introduction Introduction The thematic concern – research purpose Research aims Significance of research Unemployment Government initiatives Chapter summary Methodology 40 Introduction Research paradigms Relationship between paradigms Critical theory Critical theory/postmodern tensio ns Participatory action research Emancipatory action research Reflective analysis Empowerment Agency Bias, subjectivity and validity Chapter summary ii Chapter three 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 93 Introduction Examples of alternative educational programs for unemployed Models of adult education Study circles - introduction What is a study circle? Study Circle experiences - internationally and in Australia Key principles of establishing a study circle Chapter summary Chapter four Method 4.1 4.2 4.2.1 4.2.2 4.2.3 4.3 4.3.1 4.3.2 4.3.3 4.4 4.5 Study circles – the milieu 147 Introduction Planning the study circle Developing the discussion guide Recruiting members Sample size Planning the data collection Correspondence Session transcripts Interviews Planning triangulation, validity and reflective analysis Chapter summary iii Introduction to Part two – the study circle season 189 Chapter five 214 Description of season 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Study circle member profiles 5.3 Attendance 5.4 Overview 5.4.1 5.4.2 5.4.3 5.4.4 5.4.5 5.4.6 5.4.7 5.4.8 5.5 5.6 Emergent issues in relation to study circle process Chapter summary Chapter six Reflecting upon the themes 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 266 Introduction Redefining “unemployed” and “work” Psychological and physiological effects of unemployment Education/Training Working with bureaucracies 6.5.1 6.5.2 6.5.3 6.6 Session one Session two Session three Session four Session five Session six Session seven Session eight Government organisation Non-government organisations Employers Individual alternatives in response to unemployment 6.6.1 LETS 6.6.2 WWOOF 6.6.3 Job modularisation 6.6.4 Voluntary work 6.6.5 Living on a low income 6.7 Structural alternatives in response to unemployment 6.7.1 Free market 6.7.2 Public sector job section 6.7.3 Redefining work and a guaranteed income iv 6.8 Chapter seven 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Chapter eight References Chapter summary Reflecting upon the members’ individual experience 322 Introduction Interviews Chronological reflection Post study circle member check Empowerment from members’ perspective Chapter summary Conclus