John Heron

A Participatory Inquiry Paradigm

This article starts with a critique of Guba and Lincolns outline of competing paradigms for research, in particular arguing that the constructivist position fails to account for experiential knowing. The arguments for a participatory worldview are articulated based on a subjective-objective ontology; an extended epistemology of experiential, presentational, propositional, and practical ways of knowing; a methodology based on cooperative relations between coresearchers; and an axiology that affirms the primary value of practical knowing in the service of human flourishing.

The Human Capacity for Intentional Self-healing and Enhanced Well ness A Research Proposal

A proposed inquiry project exploring the human capacity for self-healing and enhanced wellness using co-operative and experiential inquiry methods is described. The importance of both self-healing and enhancing wellness are discussed, as is the appropriateness of the co-operative inquiry paradigm for this topic. Approaches to exploring philosophical, theoretical and practical issues are explored, as well as inquiry into outcomes of different approaches. The article looks at some of the practical and methodological issues in conducting this kind of inquiry, including a brief discussion of validity.