Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reflective Practices in Community Development: a Grounded Analysis

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Systemic Practice and Action Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Reflective practices (RPs) are recognized as fundamental for the conception, development, implementation and improvement of community-based development in international development. Despite acknowledgement that RPs are needed, the ways in which reflection can take place within Community Development (CD) contexts remains under-examined. In this study, the authors conduct a grounded thematic analysis of a values-based elicitation and articulation approach with three community organizations in order to: (i) identify specific elements in the processes of reflection; (ii) explore how identified themes relate to existing concepts within RPs literature, and any useful insights to CD contexts; (iii) explore the ways in which values-based elicitation approaches facilitate RPs. UK organisations are used for convenience, but the study is for transferable learning to international development. In their analysis, the authors identify four main themes: Reasoning (justification, articulation, recall), Active listening (nuanced expansion, replication), Collective articulation (semantic cooperation, semantic negotiations, semantic disagreements), and Tension (confusion, resistance). These highlight the multi-dimensional, non-linear nature of RPs, the importance of productive tensions, and the need for the facilitators enabling processes of RPs to develop skills such as active listening, working with tensions and deep semantic negotiations. Findings indicate this approach can open up new lines of investigation of mechanisms underlying RPs which could assist in planning reliably for them. Challenges and opportunities for further research are outlined.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CD:

Community Development

CO:

Community Organizations

CO-A_Pt#1, etc.:

Civil Society Organization A, participant number 1

ELC:

Experiential Learning Cycle

ESDinds:

Education for Sustainable Development indicators

ID:

International Development

LGBTQI+:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex community

PAR:

Participatory Action Research

RPts:

Research participants (within the WV project)

RPs:

Reflective Practices

Stg1, 2, 3:

Stage 1 (Elicitation), Stage2 (trigger-statements), Stage 3 (mapping and clustering); the stages of the WV workshop

UoB:

University of Brighton

WB:

World Bank

WV:

WeValue project

References

  • Aragón AO, Giles Macedo JC (2010) A ‘systemic theories of change’ approach for purposeful capacity development. IDS Bull 41(3):87–99. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2010.00140.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archibald T, Sharrock G, Buckley J, Cook N (2016) Assumptions, conjectures, and other miracles: the application of evaluative thinking to theory of change models in community development. Eval Prog Plan 59:119–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.05.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baxter P, Jack S (2008) Qualitative case study methodology: study design and implementation for novice researchers. Qual Rep 13(4):544–559

    Google Scholar 

  • Boud D, Cressey P, Docherty P (2006) Productive reflection at work: learning for changing organizations. Routledge, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Braun V, Clarke V (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol 3(2):77–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brigstocke J, Hoover E, Harder M, Graham P, De Sousa S, Dearden A, Light A, Zamenopoulos T, Alexiou K, Burford G (2017) Implicit values: uncounted legacies. In: Facer K, Pahl K (eds) Valuing interdisciplinary collaborative research: beyond impact. Policy Press, Bristol, pp 65–83

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Burford G, Hoover E, Velasco I, Janoušková S, Jimenez A, Piggot G, Podger D, Harder MK (2013a) Bringing the “missing pillar” into sustainable development goals: towards intersubjective values-based indicators. Sustainability 5(7):3035–3059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burford G, Velasco I, Janoušková S, Zahradnik M, Hak T, Podger D, Piggot G, Harder MK (2013b) Field trials of a novel toolkit for evaluating ‘intangible’values-related dimensions of projects. Eval Prog Plan 36(1):1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burford G, Hoover E, Stapleton L, Harder MK (2016) An unexpected means of embedding ethics in organizations: preliminary findings from values-based evaluations. Sustainability 8(7):612. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8070612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns D (2014) Systemic action research: changing system dynamics to support sustainable change. Action Res 12(1):3–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476750313513910

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron KS, Quinn RE (2011) Diagnosing and changing organizational culture: based on the competing values framework. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  • Chevalier JM, Buckles D (2013) Participatory action research: theory and methods for engaged inquiry. Routledge, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke P, Oswald K (2010) Introduction: why reflect collectively on capacities for change? IDS Bull 41(3):1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2010.00132.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornwall A, Coelho VSP (2007) Spaces for change?: the politics of citizen participation in new democratic arenas. Zed, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig G (2010) Community capacity building: critiquing the concept in different policy contexts. In: Kenny S, Clarke M (eds) Challenging capacity building: comparative perspectives. Palgrave McMillan, London, pp 41–66

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Eade D (2007) Capacity building: who builds whose capacity? Dev Pract 17(4/5):630–639

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ESDins (2009-2011) Development of Indicators & Assessment Tools for CSO Projects Promoting Values-based Education for Sustainable Development (ESDinds). Retrieved from http://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/esdinds/. Accessed 28 Nov 2018

  • Facer K, Pahl K (2017) Valuing interdisciplinary collaborative research: beyond impact. Policy Press, Bristol

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Fowler A, Ubels J (2010) The multi-faceted nature of capacity: two leading frameworks. In: Ubels J, Acquaye-Baddoo N-A, Fowler A (eds) Capacity development in practice. Earthscan, London, pp 11–24

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner F (2014) Being critically reflective: engaging in holistic practice. Palgrave Macmillan, Hampshire

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Garrison DR (2015) Thinking collaboratively: learning in a community of inquiry. Routledge, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gaventa J (2006) Finding the spaces for change: a power analysis. IDS Bull 37(6):23–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2006.tb00320.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaventa J (2011) Participation makes a difference: but not always how and where we might expect. Development Outreach 13(1):70–76. World Bank Institute, eLibrary. https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/abs/10.1596/1020-797X_13_1_70

  • Gaventa J, Barrett G (2010) So what difference does it make? Mapping the outcomes of citizen engagement. IDS Working Papers 2010(347):01–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2040-0209.2010.00347_2.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harder MK, Burford G, Hoover E (2013) What is participation? Design leads the way to a cross-disciplinary framework. Des Issues 29(4):41–57. https://doi.org/10.1162/DESI_a_00229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ife J (2010) Capacity building and community development. In: Kenny S, Clarke M (eds) Challenging capacity building. Palgrave McMillan, London, pp 67–84

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jagosh J, Bush PL, Salsberg J, Macaulay AC, Greenhalgh T, Wong G, Cargo M, Green LW, Herbert CP, Pluye P (2015) A realist evaluation of community-based participatory research: partnership synergy, trust building and related ripple effects. BMC Public Health 15(1):725, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1949-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James R (2010) Vices and virtues in capacity development by international NGOs. IDS Bull 41(3):13–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2010.00133.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jasper M (2013) Beginning reflective practice, 2nd edn. Cengage Learning, Andover

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenny S, Clarke M (2010) Challenging capacity building: comparative perspectives. Palgrave McMillan, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kolb D (1984) Experiential learning as the science of learning and development. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansuri G, Rao V (2013a) Can participation be induced? Some evidence from developing countries. Crit Rev Int Soc Pol Phil 16(2):284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansuri G, Rao V (2013b) Localizing development: does participation work? Policy Research Report. World Bank, Washington, DC. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/11859. Accessed 06 Feb 2018

  • McNiff J (2013) Action research: principles and practice. Routledge, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer CB (2001) A case in case study methodology. Field Methods 13(4):329–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miguel RM, Elona H, Gemma B, Julia B, Thomas L (2016) Values as a bridge between sustainability and institutional assessment: a case study from BOKU University. Int J Sustain High Educ 17(1):40–53. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-12-2014-0170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller C (2010) Developing capacities and agency in complex times. In: Kenny S, Clarke M (eds) Challenging capacity building: comparative perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan, London, pp 21–40

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Millner N (2013) Involving Others: From Toolkit to Ethos for a Different Kind of Democracy. In: Noorani T, Blencowe C, Brigstoke C (eds) Problems of Participation: Reflections on Authority, Democracy, and the Struggle for Common Life. ARN Press, Lewes, pp 21–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Moely BE, Billig SH, Holland BA (2009) Creating our identities in servicelearning and community engagement. IAP, Charlotte

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore AB (2002) Community development practice: theory in action. J Commun Dev Soc 33(1):20–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330209490140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno JM, Noguchi LM, Harder MK (2017) Understanding the process of community capacity-building: a case study of two programs in Yunnan Province, China. World Dev 97:122–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.04.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neely K (2015) Complex adaptive systems as a valid framework for understanding community level development. Dev Pract 25(6):785–797. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2015.1060949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oelofsen N (2012) Developing reflective practice: a guide for students and practitioners of health and social care. Lantern, Banbury

    Google Scholar 

  • Podger D, Piggot G, Zahradnik M, Janoušková S, Velasco I, Hak T, Dahl A, Jimenez A, Harder MK (2010) The earth charter and the ESDinds initiative: developing indicators and assessment tools for civil society organisations to examine the values dimensions of sustainability projects. J Educ Sustain Dev 4(2):297–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podger D, Velasco I, Luna CA, Burford G, Harder MK (2013) Can values be measured? Significant contributions from a small civil society organization through action research. Action Res 11(1):8–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podger D, Hoover E, Burford G, Hak T, Harder MK (2016) Revealing values in a complex environmental program: a scaling up of values-based indicators. J Clean Prod 134:225–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam RD (1993) The prosperous community: social capital and public life. Am Prospect 4(13):35–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramalingam B (2013) Aid on the edge of chaos: rethinking international cooperation in a complex world. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Schön DA (1983: 1991) The reflective practitioner: how professionals think in action. Ashgate, Aldershot

  • Sethamo O, Masika R, Harder MK (2019, in print) Meaningful engagement and ownership through pre-articulation of in-situ shared values. Climate and Development. Article will be accessible at: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tcld20/current

  • Timmins F (2015)A-Z of reflective practice. Palgrave, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Visser H (2010) Capacities at multiple levels and the need for connection: a Bhutan example. In: Ubels J, Acquaye-Baddoo N-A, Fowler A (eds) Capacity development in practice. Earthscan, London, pp 42–54

    Google Scholar 

  • WeValue Project (2011) WeValue: a values-based approach. Retrieved from www.wevalue.org. Accessed 28 Nov 2018

  • Yin RK (2017) Case study research and applications: design and methods. SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Cockcroft Building, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 4GJ, England

    Juan M. Moreno, Kaliat Ammu Sanyal, Firooz Firoozmand, Pauline Rutter & Marie K. Harder

Authors
  1. Juan M. Moreno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kaliat Ammu Sanyal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Firooz Firoozmand
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pauline Rutter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marie K. Harder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marie K. Harder.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Moreno, J.M., Sanyal, K.A., Firoozmand, F. et al. Reflective Practices in Community Development: a Grounded Analysis. Syst Pract Action Res 33, 501–525 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-019-09496-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-019-09496-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation