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APPLICATION OF THE PROCESS OF APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY AS
AN ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MODEL IN
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
By
JUDITH NONHLANHLA DEMESHANE
DISSERTATION
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Masters in Social Work Community Development
in the
Faculty of Humanities
at the
University of Johannesburg – Department of Social Work
Supervisor: Prof JBS NEL
2015
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A special thanks to the following people who helped make this research study
possible:
Prof JBS Nel for the teachings, guidance and support from the conception of
this research idea through to its finalisation. Thank you so much for believing
in me Prof.
The Isibonelo Farming Company who formed the action committee, research
participants and co-researchers in this research study. Indeed without you the
study would not have happened.
The Emndeni Development Centre for opening your doors, welcoming and
allowing me to conduct my research study in your Centre.
To my dearest husband for the patience, encouragement and support.
Finally, to my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ who is the author of my life and
my reason for living. There is no me without you Oh Lord.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to implement the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) model in the
context of community development with a previously disadvantaged community in
the area of Snake Park in Soweto. AI is an unconventional method to organisational
and community development and needs to be understood in terms of its principles,
perspective and implementation. The model has been implemented in various
contexts such as organisational development, education and health amongst other.
However, more evidence on its application and outcomes in community development
is still needed.
The methodology used in the study was AI which complies with most of the
principles of Participatory Action research (PAR) as the researcher engaged the
participants in the study as co-researchers throughout all the phases of the study.
The study was based on bringing about some social change in the community and
lives of the participants. AI was used as a research design as the researcher and the
participants used the Four D cycle and the various tools and activities covered in
literature on AI to collect data in the study. The study also took the form of a case
study as it was limited to the specific case of the participants within their community.
The goal of the study was to describe the process of applying AI in community
development. The objectives of the study were, firstly, to describe the process of the
facilitation of the four phases of AI; secondly, to assess the outcomes or findings of
the facilitation of the four phases of AI; and lastly to make recommendations on the
application of AI in community development based on lessons learned.
Qualitative data were collected through the use of different tools and activities which
sought to uncover the strengths, assets and potentials that the participants possess
internally as individuals, as a collective in the group, and also within their community.
Data was analysed using qualitative data analysis methods covered in theory and
was analysed with the full participation of the participants.
The study yielded positive results about the application and relevance of the AI
model in community development. There were valuable lessons that were learnt
about the model in community development especially in the South African context.
It is believed that the study will add value to the knowledge that already exists on the
i
model, especially about its application in community development in the South
African context.
ii
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this minor-dissertation for the MA (Soc. Sc.) Community
Development to the University of Johannesburg, apart from the help recognised is
my own work and has not been submitted to any institution for any degree.
Furthermore, I declare that the text has been language edited before final
submission to the University.
_______________________ __________________
JUDITH DEMESHANE DATE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE .................................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY .......................................................................................... 1
1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT ........................................................................................................ 3
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................... 3
1.5 GOAL AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................... 4
1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 4
1.6.1 Research Approach and Design ........................................................................................ 4
1.6.2 Population and Sampling .................................................................................................... 5
1.6.3 Data Collection Method ....................................................................................................... 5
1.7 DATA ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................. 6
1.8 DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS ................................................................................................ 6
1.9 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................... 7
1.10 PROPOSED STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY ...................................................................... 8
1.11 SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 10
CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................................. 11
LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 11
2.2 DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS .............................................................................................. 11
2.2.1 Community Work ................................................................................................................ 11
2.2.2 Appreciative Inquiry (AI) .................................................................................................... 12
2.2.3 Appreciate ........................................................................................................................... 12
2.2.4 Inquiry ................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2.5 Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) ................................................................. 13
2.2.6 Asset ..................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2.7 Participation ............................................................................................................................... 13
2.2.8 Development Centre (DC) ...................................................................................................... 14
2.3 THE PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY WORK ............................................................................. 14
2.4 APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY (AI) .................................................................................................. 15
2.4.1 Understanding Appreciative Inquiry ...................................................................................... 15
2.4.2 Principles of Appreciative Inquiry ..................................................................................... 19
2.4.2.1 The Constructionist Principle ................................................................................ 19
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2.4.2.2 The Principle of Simultaneity ................................................................................ 19
2.4.2.3 Poetic Principle ....................................................................................................... 20
2.4.2.4 Anticipatory Principle ............................................................................................. 20
2.4.2.5 Positive Principle .................................................................................................... 20
2.4.3 Principles of ABCD ................................................................................................................... 20
2.4.3.1 Change Must Come from within the Community ............................................................. 20
2.4.3.2 Development Must Build upon Capacities and Assets that Exist within the
Community .......................................................................................................................................... 21
2.4.3.3 Change Should Be Relationship-Driven ............................................................................ 21
2.4.3.4 Change Should Be Oriented towards Sustainable Community Growth ....................... 21
2.4.4 AI’s Perspective on People ............................................................................................... 22
2.4.5 AI – Four D Cycle ............................................................................................................... 23
2.4.5.1 Discovery Phase ................................................................................................................... 23
2.4.5.1a Asking Questions ................................................................................................................ 24
2.4.5.1b Mapping ................................................................................................................................ 24
2.4.5.2 The Dream Phase ................................................................................................................. 24
2.4.5.2a Goal or Vision Tree ............................................................................................................. 26
2.4.5.3 The Design Phase ................................................................................................................ 27
2.4.5.4 The Delivery Phase .............................................................................................................. 27
2.5 LEVERAGE .................................................................................................................................. 29
2.6SUMMARY..................................................................................................................................... 30
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 31
3.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 31
3.2 SOCIAL RESEARCH .................................................................................................................. 31
3.3 RESEARCH DESIGN ................................................................................................................. 32
3.3.1 Appreciative Inquiry and Participatory Action Research .................................................... 32
3.3.2 Case Study ................................................................................................................................ 34
3.4 POPULATION AND SAMPLING ............................................................................................... 35
3.5 THE EMNDENI DEVELOPMENT CENTRE ............................................................................ 36
3.6 DATA COLLECTION ................................................................................................................... 38
3.6.1 Data Collection in the Discovery Phase ................................................................................ 38
3.6.1.1 Storytelling ............................................................................................................................. 38
3.6.1.2 Gifts of the Head, Hands and Heart ................................................................................... 40
3.6.1.3 Inventory of Qualities I Admire About My Group Members ............................................ 41
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3.6.1.4 Map of Local Associations ................................................................................................... 41
3.6.1.5 Inventory of Local Resources.............................................................................................. 42
3.6.1.7 Participant Observation ........................................................................................................ 43
3.6.2 Data Collection in the Dream Phase ............................................................................... 43
3.6.2.1 Visualisation Exercise .......................................................................................................... 43
3.6.2.2 Personal and Group Wishes ............................................................................................... 44
3.6.3 Data Collection in the Design Phase ............................................................................... 44
3.6.4 Data Collection in the Delivery Phase ............................................................................. 45
3.6.5 Participatory Evaluation ..................................................................................................... 45
3.7 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ........................................................................... 45
3.8TRUSTWORTHINESS OF THE STUDY .................................................................................. 48
3.8.1 Credibility ............................................................................................................................. 48
3.8.2 Dependability ...................................................................................................................... 49
3.9 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 49
CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................................... 50
FINDINGS ON THE DISCOVERY PHASE .................................................................................... 50
4.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 50
4.2 DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ....................................................................................... 50
4.3 FINDINGS ON CONNECTING ............................................................................................ 52
4.3.1 Becoming Aware of Yourself and Your Strengths as a Community Facilitator ........ 53
4.3.2 Understanding the Host Organisation, its Mandate and its Strengths and Assets to
Support the Process .......................................................................................................................... 53
4.3.3 Initiating Connection with the Community ...................................................................... 54
4.3.4 Discovering and Understanding the Broader Context of the Community, Especially
the Strengths and Assets .................................................................................................................. 56
4.3.5 Enabling the Community to Get to Know the Facilitator ............................................... 57
4.3.6 Bringing Together the Community Group in a Discovery Process of Their Situation,
Including Their Strengths and Assets ............................................................................................. 58
4.4 FINDINGS ON DISCOVERY PHASE ................................................................................. 58
4.3.1 Storytelling ................................................................................................................................. 58
Story 1 59
Story 2 59
Story 3 59
Story 4 60
What are the Strengths That Made the Achievement Possible? ................................................ 61
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What Individual and Group Values are Reflected in the Story? .................................................. 61
What Was the Role of Particular People in the Community in Making This a Success? ........ 62
4.3.2 Inventory of Gifts of the Head, Hands and Heart .......................................................... 62
Table 4.7: Gifts of the head/knowledge .......................................................................................... 63
Table 4.8: Gifts of the hands/skills ................................................................................................... 64
Table 4.9: Experience ........................................................................................................................ 65
Table 4.10: Gifts of the heart/concerns ........................................................................................... 66
4.3.3 Inventory of Qualities I Admire About my Group Members ............................................... 67
4.3.4 Map of Social Associations ............................................................................................... 69
4.3.5 Inventory of Local Institutions ........................................................................................... 71
4.3.6 The Leaky Bucket ............................................................................................................... 75
4.6.1 Money Flowing into the Community ...................................................................................... 76
4.6.2 Money Circulating within the Community ........................................................... 77
4.6.3 Money Flowing out Of the Community ................................................................ 78
4.7 REFLECTION ......................................................................................................................... 81
4.8 CRITICAL REFLECTION ...................................................................................................... 82
4.8.1 Connecting ................................................................................................................................ 82
4.8.2 Identifying Assets Instead of Problems ................................................................................. 83
4.8.3 Activities Used in the Discovery Phase ................................................................................ 84
4.8.4 Individual Action Committee Members ................................................................................. 84
4.9LESSONS LEARNT ABOUT FACILITATION OF AI ............................................................... 85
4.10 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 85
CHAPTER FIVE ................................................................................................................................. 87
FINDINGS ON THE DREAM PHASE ............................................................................................. 87
5.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 87
5.2 FINDINGS ON THE DREAM PHASE ................................................................................. 87
5.2.1 Visualisation Exercise ........................................................................................................ 88
5.2.1.1 Outcomes of the Visualisation Exercise ......................................................................... 90
5.2.2 Personal and Group Wishes ............................................................................................. 91
5.2.3 Outcomes of the Personal and Group Wishes Exercise .............................................. 91
5.3 REFLECTION ......................................................................................................................... 93
5.4 CRITICAL REFLECTION ...................................................................................................... 94
5.4.1 Formulation of a Dream for the Project ................................................................................. 94
5.4.2 Activities Used in the Dream Phase ...................................................................................... 95
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