The Evolving Definition of Practice Research

2016

a knowledge development process that focuses primarily on the roles of the service provider, service user and the service researcher who all participate in defining the research questions and interpreting the research findings.
components that are often agency-based, service-focused, client-focused, theory-informed, highly interactive (multiple stakeholders), and designed to inform practice, policy, and future research.
accounting for the power dynamics between service users and service providers with respect to inclusiveness, transparency, ethical reflexivity, and critical reflection.
tools that often require flexible and collaborative structures in the form of a negotiated process between practice (providers and users) and research (researchers and educators) to address the gap between research and practice.
the elements of co-learning, respect, and curiosity are needed to support an inclusive inquiry and knowledge development process.
practice research is often funder-influenced, outcome-focused, and change-oriented.

(Fisher, Austin, Julkunen, Sim, Uggerhøj, & Isokuortti, 2016)