The research practice of practice research: theorizing and situational inquiry

An approach to practice research is presented. The main ideas of practice research is 1) to consider the empirical field in terms of practices, 2) to develop knowledge through situational inquiries into local operational practices based on problems and needs in such practices and 3) to contribute with abstract useful knowledge to general practice and research community. This means that practice research is research about practices, research from practices, research for practices, research with practices and usually research in practices. Practice research is divided into two closely related sub-practices: situational inquiry and theorizing. Practice research is also related to three target practices/communities: local operational practice, general practice and research community. The paper also contains ontological assumptions (from practice theories) and epistemological assumptions (from pragmatist epistemology). Three examples of practice research are briefly described as illustrations. The main purpose of the paper is to describe the research practice of practice research.