Collaborative Practice in Research Jurgen Grotz Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations Spoilt for Choice: Research Methods, Manchester, 15 May 2007

2 Collaboration between Voluntary organisations Services users Academic researchers Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

3 Examples The British Refugee Council The Cystic Fibrosis Trust The West of England Centre for Integrated Living Funded by the Big Lottery Fund Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

4 Motivations In voluntary sector organisations: the requirement of an evidence base for policy and funding decisions, Amongst service users: a strong demand for involvement and leadership in research, Universities recognize the increasing importance of ‘community engagement’ Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

5 Another good reason Competent collaboration might provide genuine alternative approaches to creating reliable knowledge Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

6 Perspectives Principled Pragmatic Personal Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

7 Participant’s requirements Academic research is about career enhancement Voluntary sector organisations need results Positive changes to the lives of service users Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

8 Problems Resource intensive Requires specific skills Mismatches Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

9 Ethical basis Ensure that research is Respectful Beneficial Just to those who take part in research Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

10 The bottom line Competent collaborative practice is only possible if all involved understand and are prepared to accept the requirements of the other participants. Usually not all requirements can be met in full. Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

11 Four steps to collaboration Establish the basic organisational motivations of all involved Establish individual perspectives Clarify that problems are addressed Check against ethical basis Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz

12 Thank you! Jurgen Grotz Centre for the Study of Voluntary and Community Activity collaborative practice in research Jurgen Grotz