Soft systems methodology in education : applying a critical realist approach to research on teacher education / Jenny Gilbert, Simon Pratt-Adams.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gilbert, Jenny, author.

Pratt-Adams, Simon, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Teachers--Training of--Philosophy.

Teachers.

Critical realism.

System theory.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxvi, 381 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Cham, Switzerland : Springer, 2022.

Summary:

This book explores the application of Soft Systems Methodology in educational research as a qualitative research tool to generate theory, and identifies the mechanisms that engender the behaviours and discourse of social groups. Grounded within the literature from philosophy and science, the approach is predicated on the ontology and epistemology of critical realism. The authors consider the tenets of systems thinking, recognizing that emergent features appear at higher levels of complexity within a hierarchy and that unintended consequences can occur when making decisions in complex situations with interacting components. The central element of the book is the formulation of a research strategy entitled 'Worldview, Metaphor and Power of Social Objects' (Womposo) and its application to a research study of the practicum experience of teachers in training. Integral to the methodology is the creation of rich pictures and diagrams. Additionally, images representing different stakeholders' views of the whole system are presented in revealing illustrations, allowing the reader to grasp each holistic metaphor. It is suitable for postgraduate students and researchers in education and other social science programmes.

Contents:

Part I: Systems Thinking, Soft Systems Methodology and Critical Realism

Chapter 1. Systems Thinking and Soft Systems Methodology

Chapter 2. Critical Realism as an Underpinning Philosophy

Chapter 3. Critical Realism in the Social Sciences

Chapter 4. The Stepping-Stones Model and the Worldview, Metaphor and Power of Social Objects (Womposo) Strategy

Part II: Practicum Study: Context

Chapter 5. The Three Jurisdictions: England, New South Wales and Ontario

Chapter 6. The Literature on Policy Borrowing, Learning, Professional Identity and the Practicum

Chapter 7. Research Stages of the Practicum Study

Part III: Practicum Study: Data Collection and Interpretation

Chapter 8. The Perspectives of Pre-service Teachers

Chapter 9. Faculty Advisors' Perspectives on Becoming a Teacher

Chapter 10. Mentors' Expectations and Perspectives

Chapter 11. Findings from the Practicum Study

Part IV: Appraising the Womposo Research Strategy

Chapter 12. Evaluating the Practicum Study and the Womposo Research Strategy.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed May 12, 2022).

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9783030992255

303099225X

OCLC:

1316700199

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.