Glossary A

Action Research

A dialogue method for intentional learning from experience, originally formulated by social psychologist Kurt Lewin. It is characterised by intervention in real world systems followed by close scrutiny of the effects. The action research cycle is: Data Collection > Evaluation > Action > Critical Reflection > Data Collection > Evaluation...

Active Citizenship

1. Encouraging people to play, or where a citizen does play, a more responsible and active part in public life, strengthening the commitment to a shared social and cultural community.

Notes:

  • Part of the core national education curriculum in England and Wales since 2002, including lessons on rights, responsibilities, cultural diversity, political participation and the notions of community and volunteering
  • This term has a particular resonance in relation to public consultation for it implies a duty to take an interest in key issues and to participate in consultation programmes

2. Citizens taking opportunities to become actively involved in defining and tackling the problems of their communities and improving their quality of life. One of the three key elements of civil renewal.

Active Communities

Communities in which citizens are empowered to lead self determined fulfilled lives, and in which everyone regardless of age, race or social background has a sense of belonging and a stake in society.  

Analysis Software

See Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS)

Appreciative Inquiry

1. A dialogue method for creating a vision, and planning to achieve it, through understanding and appreciating the past as a basis for imagining the future.

It is characterized by its

  1. abandonment of "problem talk"
  2. focus on narrative exploration
  3. emphasis on positive explorations of the past
  4. the collaborative construction of alternative futures
  5. the reconstruction of identities and relationships.

2. Appreciative Inquiry is about the co-evolutionary search for the best in people, their organizations, and the relevant world around them. In its broadest focus, it involves systematic discovery of what gives "life" to a living system when it is most alive, most effective, and most constructively capable in economic, ecological, and human terms

Arts-Based Civic Dialogue

In arts-based civic dialogue, the artistic process and/or art/humanities presentation provides a key focus or catalyst for public dialogue on a civic issue. Opportunities for dialogue are embedded in or connected to the arts experience. Arts-based civic dialogue may draw upon any of the arts and humanities disciplines and the spectrum of community-based, experimental, mainstream, popular, and other art forms. It may be undertaken by individual artists and artist companies, community-based arts and cultural organizations, and major cultural institutions, utilizing a wide range of artistic practice and dialogic methods. See also Theatre

Asynchronous Citizen Engagement 

An online dialogue that occurs over a preset period of time but which does not require simultaneous contribution by the participants. See also Synchronous CE

Audit

See Consultation Audit