The Study Circle. Participatory Action Research, with and for the Unemployed

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The Study Circle. Participatory Action Research, with and for the Unemployed 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 Introduction 3 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The thematic concern – research purpose 1.3 Research aims 1.4 Significance of research 1.5 Unemployment 1.6 Government initiatives 1.7 Chapter summary Chapter two Methodology 40 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Research paradigms 2.3 Relationship between paradigms 2.4 Critical theory 2.5 Critical theory/postmodern tensions 2.6 Participatory action research 2.7 Emancipatory action research 2.8 Reflective analysis 2.9 Empowerment 2.10 Agency 2.11 Bias, subjectivity and validity 2.12 Chapter summary ii Chapter three Study circles – the milieu 93 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Examples of alternative educational programs for unemployed 3.3 Models of adult education 3.4 Study circles - introduction 3.5 What is a study circle? 3.6 Study Circle experiences - internationally and in Australia 3.7 Key principles of establishing a study circle 3.8 Chapter summary Chapter four Method 147 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Planning the study circle 4.2.1 Developing the discussion guide 4.2.2 Recruiting members 4.2.3 Sample size 4.3 Planning the data collection 4.3.1 Correspondence 4.3.2 Session transcripts 4.3.3 Interviews 4.4 Planning triangulation, validity and reflective analysis 4.5 Chapter summary iii Introduction to Part two – the study circle season 189 Chapter five Description of season 214 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Study circle member profiles 5.3 Attendance 5.4 Overview 5.4.1 Session one 5.4.2 Session two 5.4.3 Session three 5.4.4 Session four 5.4.5 Session five 5.4.6 Session six 5.4.7 Session seven 5.4.8 Session eight 5.5 Emergent issues in relation to study circle process 5.6 Chapter summary Chapter six Reflecting upon the themes 266 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Redefining “unemployed” and “work” 6.3 Psychological and physiological effects of unemployment 6.4 Education/Training 6.5 Working with bureaucracies 6.5.1 Government organisation 6.5.2 Non-government organisations 6.5.3 Employers 6.6 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 summary Chapter seven Reflecting upon the members’ individual experience 322 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Interviews 7.3 Chronological reflection 7.4 Post study circle member check 7.5 Empowerment from members’ perspective 7.6 Chapter summary Chapter eight Conclusion 352 References 364 v Table of Appendices 1 External Support for Research 2 Study Circle Discussion Guide: Unemployment 2.1 Discussion Guide Handouts - The Basics of Study Circle Leadership - Overview of a Typical Study Circle - Tips for Effective Discussion Leadership - Dealing with Typical Challenges - Key Terms 3 Discussion Guide Exemplars 3.1 The Busy Citizen’s Discussion Guide: Violence in our Communities (SCRC) (1994) 3.2 The Busy Citizen’s Discussion Guide: Education in our Communities (SCRC) (1995) 4 Minutes from Aboriginal Reconciliation Study Circle – 31 July 1997 5 Participant Recruitment 5.1 Flyer 5.2 Flyer 5.3 Media Releases/Facsimiles 5.4 Local Print Media Articles 6 Correspondence - Study Circle Coordinator to Members 6.1 30 March 1998 – Pre Season 6.2 01 April 1998 – Pre Season 6.3 03 April 1998 – After first session 6.4 13 April 1998 – After second session 6.5 20 April 1998 – After third session 6.6 27 April 1998 – After fourth session 6.7 4 May 1998 – After fifth session 6.8 11 May 1998 – After sixth session 6.9 18 May 1998 – After seventh session 6.10 25 May 1998 – After eighth session 6.11 14 April 1999 – with Thesis Draft (Number 11) enclosed 6.12 07 May 1999 – Confirming meeting on 28 May 1999 7 Victoria University of Technology Consent Form for Subjects Involved in Research 8 Participant Information Form 9 Background Information Form vi 10 Interview Schedules 10.1 Pre Season Interview Schedule 10.2 Mid Season Interview Schedule 10.3 Post Season Interview Schedule 11 Pre Season Interview Transcripts 11.1 Paul 11.2 Francis 11.3 Pam 11.4 George 11.5 Barbara 12 Member’s Guide 13 Issues Poster 14 Objectives Poster 15 Groundrules Poster 16 Study Circle Session Transcripts 16.1 Session One 16.2 Session Two 16.3 Session Three 16.4 Session Four 16.6 Session Six 16.7 Session Seven 16.8 Session Eight 17 Post Study Circle Meeting 17.1 Post study circle meeting with Francis, George & Barbara (28/5/99) 17.2 Post study circle notes compiled by Pam (3/6/99) 17.3 Post study circle notes compiled by Paul (24/6/99) 18 Mid Season Interview Transcripts 18.1 Paul 18.2 Francis 18.4 Pam 18.5 George 18.6 Barbara 19 End Season Interview Transcripts 19.1 Paul 19.2 Francis 19.3 Pam 19.4 George 19.5 Barbara vii 20 Publicity Flyer Fifth National Conference on Unemployment 21 Other Correspondence, Resources etc, introduced into sessions 21.1 Herald-Sun Articles distributed by George at fifth session, discussed in fifth and sixth sessions 21.2 Handouts distributed by Pam in sixth session 21.3 Pam’s reflective notes on sixth session, discussed in seventh session viii Declaration of authorship 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. __________________________________ Mark Brophy ix Dedication – Helen Sertori, my elder sister who died of cancer in 1996. A teacher who inspired me to learn. Supervisors – Ass. Prof. Maureen Ryan and Ass. Prof. Tony Kruger - VUT Acknowledgments Alice Brophy Nada Banjanin Dr Kevin Brophy Darija Bosnjak Leo and Moira Brophy Mary Brennan Janine Dixon-Brophy Caroline Brown Pauline Brophy Brenda Cherednichenko Shandra Cohen Nadia Foster Dr Alister Crombie Jan Gay Veli Fikret Leslie Hyde Elaine Timmermans Sue Madden Greg Hackett Tracey Oliver Fiona Hyde Margaret Penrith Meryl Hyde Grace Pulis Wendy Marlowe Amanda Smith Gavin Murray Linda Scott Fiona McDonald Jim Sillitoe David Shires Maree Wheelens Alan Tonkin Prof John Wilson Tom Verghese Dr Dawn Watson x Guide to acronyms w AAACE Australian Association of Adult and Community Education w AAP Australian Associated Press w AARE Australian Association for Research in Education w ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation w ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics w ACFE Adult Council for Further Education w ACOSS Australian Council of Social Services w ACT Australian Capital Territory w ACTU Australian Council of Trade Unions wAEU Australian Education Union w AGPS Australian Government Printing Service w ALP Australian Labor Party w AMPU A More Perfect Union w ANTA Australian National Training Authority w ANU Australian National University w ATSIC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission w ATY Australian Training for Youth w ANTA Australian National Training Authority w ANU Australian National University w ANZ Australian and New Zealand (Bank) w ASC Australian Security Commission xi w ATY Accredited Training for Youth w BAC Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen w BEAT Bridging Education and Training w B.Ed Bachelor of Education w BIPR Bureau of Immigration and Population Research w CBT Competency Based Training wCDROM Computer Disk Read Only Memory w CESAC Commonwealth Employment Service Advisory Committee w CEDEFOP European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Translated from German) w CEO Committee on Employment Opportunities w CEP Community Employment Program w CES Commonwealth Employment Service w CESAC Commonwealth Employment Service Australian Committee w CIS Community Information Services w COS Certificate of Occupational Studies wCPS Committee for Postgraduate Studies w CSU Curriculum Services Unit w CYSS Community Youth Support Scheme w DEET Department of Employment, Education and Training1 w DEETYA Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs2 1 Departmental name change to Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) in 1996. 2 In 1998 DEETYA were disbanded and two separate departments were formed by the federal government, DETYA and DEWRSB. xii wDETYA Department of Employment, Training and Youth Affairs w DEWRSB Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business w DPA Domestic Policy Association w DSS Department of Social Security w EAP Employment Access Program w EEO Equal Employment Opportunity w EMB Evaluation and Monitoring Branch w EO Equal Opportunity w EPAC Economic Planning Advisory Council w EPP Employment Preparation Program w EPUY Education Program for Unemployed Youth w ERIC Educational Resources Information Centre w ESP Employment Support Program w FEU Further Education Unit w FFE Foundation For Employment w FRAGS Faculty Research and Graduate Studies Committee w GDP Gross Domestic Product w IFLA International Federation
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