Page 23 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

Chapter III introduces and describes the methodology for the research, the research

perspective, my approach to data collection and analysis. I begin with the rationale for using

grounded theory, the link between the research and the data, introduce PALAR (Participatory

Action Learning combined with Action Research) which I argue offers a good fit for this social

constructivist exploration into the ‘aware experience’ of dialogue group members that engages in

a different conversation within the sense of community and self in the presence of others. These

conversations reflect a way of being ‘I’ aware to the presentation of self. Theories pertaining to

public space and inclusion, democracy and freedom, rationale discourse, and conflict and tension

in dialogue are presented which I argue establish a basis for understanding the civic engagement

“Metasphere” environment and cite factors influencing the interactions among those gathered.

Chapter IV is my presentation of findings that methodologically documents the data

obtained from Community Conversation participants and facilitators at one or more of the group

dialogues meetings that took place in Albany, New York. I review characteristics of the event,

group interactions, interviews and observations in the whole process of obtaining a

“metaspherical” description in order to relate an empirical real experience, survey sampling, and

discern the limitations of the study -relating those characteristics of design that impacted or

influenced the application of surveys and factors affecting the overall research.

Analysis and findings from the research are documented in Chapter IV and based on information

obtained from interviews with dialogue participants and facilitators about communication among

and between the participants of Community Conversation groups are included methodologically.

In Chapter V further analysis of the data obtained from the CC interviews in both cities

are then broadened using dimensional analysis. Results and revelations coming from the analysis

of the data, which has been coded and grouped into dimensions, are discussed in Chapter V, and

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