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Boundary management in action reflection learning™ research: Taking the role of a sophisticated barbarian
Author(s) -
Yorks Lyle,
O'Neil Judy,
Marsich Victoria J.,
Nilson Glenn E.,
Kolodny Robert
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
human resource development quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1532-1096
pISSN - 1044-8004
DOI - 10.1002/hrdq.3920070403
Subject(s) - barbarian , mindset , perspective (graphical) , action (physics) , phenomenon , reflection (computer programming) , boundary (topology) , ask price , epistemology , field (mathematics) , psychology , heuristics , sociology , engineering ethics , computer science , artificial intelligence , history , engineering , mathematical analysis , ancient history , philosophy , physics , mathematics , economy , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics , economics , programming language , operating system
Boundary management is a challenge in all forms of participant observation. Here the authors explore considerations that they believe are unique to participant observation research within Action Reflection Learning™ (ARL™) programs. The authors hypothesize that field researchers' efforts to manage boundaries bear some similarities to a key phenomenon of the program itself, that is, learning takes place as a result of reflection informed by an outsider's perspective. The researcher's role is given the label of sophisticated barbarian because researchers have some specialized knowledge and can thus ask some sophisticated questions. Yet, because they maintain some distance from the existing group's culture and mindset, they may ask some questions that seem barbaric to insiders.