Designing Sensemaking Studies: Research Methods for Understanding Communities

CarrieLynn D. Reinhard · Ajay Reddy

Oct 2026 · Springer Nature

Ebook

223

Pages

About this ebook

From marketing research to customer service, understanding the individuals and communities your organization engages with and how to communicate with them is important to success. Almost a century of human studies research from both qualitative humanistic and quantitative science perspectives have helped us to learn what to do -- and what not to do. The last several decades have seen the rise of sensemaking studies to bridge the divide between the qualitative and the quantitative, as well as to improve on what we already know to do while also addressing what not to do when studying humans. The goal of this book is to walk professional and academic researchers from any field or discipline through the process of conducting a sensemaking study. The book is structured to help researchers begin their learning journey from the starting point of the question or questions they have. If a person wonders what sensemaking is, then that question will be specifically address. If they are confused about how to analyze sensemaking data, then that question would bring them to a place later in the book. Thus, the book allows for both beginners and more advanced researchers to learn and improve their use of sensemaking studies in their work. Drawing on different approaches to sensemaking studies, such as Active Sensemaking and Sense-Making Methodology, this book will help anyone who has to understand people to better serve their community. The book is both written for general audience and aligns with online components to help researchers learn in an interactive, experiential process.

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About the author

Dr. CarrieLynn Reinhard is an Assistant Professor of Applied Communication at Dickinson State University. She studied with Brenda Dervin, creator of the Sense-Making Methodology (SMM), for her doctorate at Ohio State University. She has since used SMM in various research studies, such as understanding the virtual world Second Life to conflicts within fandoms. The latter project was published as Fractured Fandoms: Contentious Communication in Fan Communities (Rowman & Littlefield, 2018).

Ajay Reddy is recognized for seamlessly integrating ethical, human-centered design with modern AI to drive positive outcomes and societal impact. Holding a Master of Science in Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, he leverages Active Sensemaking to uncover deep insights and emerging patterns within organizations. This approach enables the identication of signicant opportunities and challenges, guiding wise decisions and policy changes in complex and uncertain environments. His expertise lies in Active Sensemaking research and leading AI/ML product teams.

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