Contextual Inquiry as a Critical Perspective in Research

Human systems create problem spaces that are ambiguous, uncertain and constantly changing. This requires researchers to find approaches to inquiry that can be used to explore inconsistent and ill-defined phenomena. Much analytical work is done without in-depth consideration of context. This means that important dimensions are lost – rigour in investigation is prioritised over relevance. Research must be able to engage with inquiry into contextual dependencies at multiple levels. We experience the world individually, creating our own unique understandings. Furthermore, our experiences of context change continually and different individuals’ experiences of the ‘same’ context vary widely. A relevant resolution in a situation requires attention to contextual dependencies, but what makes it relevant and from whose point of view? Thus, a mindset is needed that recognises uniqueness and accommodates for a creative process of discovery, which needs to be conceptualised. This paper discusses contextual inquiry as a critical perspective in research