ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a continuation of the debate in this part of the book around the epistemological questions. It also acts as a lead in to the next chapter, which deals with the second phase of fieldwork, in which a different methodology to that described in chapter two is tested out. I begin by reiterating the predicament created by the care manager interviews from methodological and authenticity perspectives, noting the epistemological and ontological problems of adopting what was essentially a traditional qualitative approach and analysis. The implication for the research journey was that a new paradigm specifying a new research method was required, and that is what this chapter provides, a description of and justification for the use of what has been termed ‘new paradigm research’ (Reason and Rowan 1981a; Reason 1988; Reason 1994a; Heron 1996), but is more recently referred to as research within an experiential participative paradigm (Heron and Reason 1997). Co-operative inquiiy, one of the methods described within the new paradigm, is described and analysed as a research method in conjunction with our other areas of practice - policy implementation, management and social work.
