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WOLFGANG KNOPF THE NEED OF RESEARCH FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ANSE Hands down, with benefit to our profession we make ample use of research outcomes produced by different sciences. But to create our own, professionally specific, scientific understanding, we will have to continue and further develop our own methodologies of ‘original research.’ This could — and should — be done along the following lines: + Applied research on the practice of supervision and coaching, focusing on differences and tensions between ‘espoused theory’ and ‘theory in use’. s Research on the effectiveness of supervision and coaching. Important levels of effectiveness are: - The level of the supervisor or coach, - The level of the organisation, - The level of the clients. s Research on the quality and effectiveness of trainings programs, and of concepts of supervision and coaching. s Research on the implications of changes within workplace and society, such as technological and capital driven effects on the position of (professional) workers (“decent work!”). ¢ Research as critical reflection on our formats. Next to quantitative research, we clearly also need to develop qualitative research projects. BASIC STEPS TAKEN BY ANSE In order to follow up on these necessities as a professional body, ANSE had to support the development of a basic understanding of our trade on a European level. A clear and - as far as possible — evidence-based definition of terms, concepts and competencies was missing. This shortcoming was noted repeatedly at several conferences run by ANSE, and also literally experienced in ANSE “International Intervision Groups”, in which supervisors and coaches from different countries and with different theoretical approaches came together and, in order to find common ground and be able to start working, first of all had to clarify terms and definitions. And so, dealing with diversity within their community of practitioners proved a demanding task. Grass roots experiences like these shaped the focus of the 2010 Grundtvig project “Counselling in a Multicultural Europe”. This +36 +
