Project Methodology and Values

The ARS project is designed according to principles of action research and with recognition that there are varying levels of action research skills, experience and expertise across the 40 BSCW projects. The ARS project will be delivered flexibly in three stages that each incorporate the following activities:

• Planning
• Action
• Collecting
• Reflecting

The values underlying the ARS project are that facilitating an exchange of information and utilising the skills of the combined projects will contribute to the knowledge base about what works to build safe communities for women and their children. The ARS project will be guided by a relational accountability that promotes reciprocity, respectful representation and the rights of the people participating in the research. The creation of a safe research learning environment and the use of reflective practice are integral to the research activities in this project. ANROWS will acknowledge the contribution of projects in any associated publications and presentations. In addition, our approach is based on principles that acknowledge and value practice wisdom and research evidence.

Support

ANROWS is specifically contracted to provide the following support:

• Workshops and webinars. Workshops will aim to be interactive and cover all aspects of the action research process. They will provide participants with opportunities to network with other BSCW projects and share challenges, experiences, and solutions. Webinars will provide follow up to workshops and allow participants to share their action research progress and discuss issues arising.
• Resource development. This will include the development of action research resources, such as data collection and reflection templates. Other relevant publications and resources about violence against women and children will also be made available as part of the ARS project.
• Individual project support. Support will be offered in planning and contextual analysis, strategies for implementing change, collecting and analysing data, and approaches to reporting and sharing findings. This will include onsite visits by ARS staff, as well as regular email and telephone support.
• Publications and reporting. Templates will be developed to assist with report publication, resource production and other methods of sharing research findings. BSCW projects will be encouraged to share with each other tools and resources that they find useful in their work to build safe communities and action research.

Key project deliverables

Each project will be supported to:

1. Develop and implement an Action Research Plan for their BSCW project.
2. Implement community/stakeholder engagement processes to involve participants in the project.
3. Document and reflect upon the action research process and outcomes of their project.
4. Share findings within their organisation, with the other BSCW projects and other organisations in the sector.
5. Consider sustainable strategies to embed reflective research practice into everyday work.
6. Contribute to building the national evidence base about what works in building safer communities.