Abstract:

We present a process for research inquiry that is integrated with the individual’s online experience. We are 150 undergraduates in a systemic technical environment we call the Fishbowl, wherein we raise the question: how is one’s online experience, consisting of a stream of events, organized, perceived and constructed? An event in the Fishbowl is part of the process of 'becoming' and 'differentiation'; while the two are connected, events do not comprise a unity because each instance is marked with differentiation. In other words, events are rhizomatic and part of an ever-changing, ongoing process (G. Deleuze, 1976).
Our paper proposes ‘event-processing’ for collecting and analyzing data generated from multiple sources in real time.

Our intent is to capture online experience by timely reaction to the event’s occurrence. Experience is inherently shaped by subjective views of observed phenomena. In contrast to positivism, we believe the search for causal ‘whys’ is detrimental to understanding directly lived experience.

Our purpose is to address the question: How do we process streams of intangible events that are unique and cannot be repeated in the same way?

Our method applies to any application where smart devices, embedded in networks, continually produce huge amounts of data that are processed in real time. Event processing (EP) is an appropriate approach to tackle such scenarios. Action Research and Reflexive methodologies have some aspect of situation awareness, sense and response and, track-and-trace aspects which overlap with online experience. What is involved is continual attention and improvisation. We are repeatedly making choices, including how to integrate self-reflections appropriate to the situation and one’s capacities at that time. Continually exploring and forging ahead takes energy and attention as we seek to keep alert to new experiences and perspectives. We are reaching towards what needs expressing and is on the edge of acceptability.

Our process of research inquiry is an active, persistent, and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge, of the events that support that knowledge, and further conclusions to which that knowledge leads. We are aware of our learning by actively participating in reflective thinking – assessing what we know, what we need to know, and how we bridge that gap during event processing. The cycle begins with recognizing the opening learning structure which is the prerequisite for the kind of event processing we are trying to stimulate.

References
[1] Alvesson, Mats and Kaj Skoldberg (2017) Reflexive Methodology, New Vistas for Qualitative Research. 3rd edition. Sage.
[2] Giddens, Anthony (1974) Positivism and Sociology (Ed). London: Heinemann.
[3] Berger, Peter and Thomas Luckmann (1966) The Social Construction of Reality. Anchor Books.
[4] Zourabichvili, F (2012) Deleuze: A Philosophy of the Event. Edinburgh University Press.
[5] Luckham, David C. (2012). Event Processing for Business: Organizing the Real-Time Enterprise. John Wiley.
[6] Reason, Peter; Bradbury, Hilary, eds. (2001). Handbook of Action Research: Participative Inquiry and Practice. London: Sage.

Keywords:

Event Processing (EP), Action Research, Reflexivity, Knowledge Content.