Key Elements of Action ResearchPlanningActingObservingReflectingAction research is conducted for three key purposes:“Firstly, the

improvement of a practice

of some kind; second, the

improvement of the understanding of a practice

by its practitioners, and thirdly, the

improvementof the situation in which the practice takes place

…Those involved in the practicebeing considered are to be involved in the action research process in all itsaspects of planning, acting, observing and reflecting “(

Carr and Kemmis, 1986, p165

)

PlanActObserveReflect

Two key issues:Changethe ‘use’ of participants

Assumptions for those wishing to initiate change:1.

Don’t assume that your version of what the change should be is the one thatcould or should be implemented. You have to exchange your reality of whatshould be through interaction with others concerned2.

Change involves ambiguity, ambivalence and uncertainty about the meaningof the change. Effective implementation is a process of clarification.3.

Some conflict and disagreement are not only inevitable but fundamental tochange.4.

People need pressure to change (even in directions they desire) but it is onlyeffective under conditions that allow them to react and interact.Resocialization is at the heart of change (otherwise, you need to replace peopleto change).5.

Effective change takes time. It is developmental process that takes at least twoyears.6.

Lack of implementation isn’t necessarily because of rejection or resistance.There are many other reasons, including insufficient resources or timeelapsed.7.

Don’t expect all, or even most, people or groups to change. Progress occurs byincreasing the number of people affected.8.

You need a plan based on these assumptions and underpinned by knowledgeof the change process.9.

Change is a frustrating, discouraging business. If you are not in a position tomake the above assumptions, which may well be the case, don’t expectsignificant change, as far as implementation is concerned.

(Robson, 1993, p443, based on Fullan, 1982, p.91)

If significant behavioural change is anticipated as a result of Action research, then theresearch must be strong enough to support behaviour change. A “do this” is alwaysresponded to with a “why??” Good robust research is the answer to the “Why?”

Before we start

Mind map these questions on the change:1.

What is the nature of the social ‘reality’ we wish to investigate?2.

What might represent knowledge or evidence of the social reality which wewish to investigate?3.

What topic, or broad substantive area, is the research concerned with?4.

What is the intellectual puzzle? What do we wish to explain? What are ourresearch questions?5.

What is the purpose of our research? What are we doing it for?6.

What data sources and methods of data generation are potentially available orappropriate?7.

What can these methods and sources feasibly tell us about? Which propertiesof the social reality might these data sources and methods potentially help usto address?8.

Which of our research questions could they help us address?9.

How or on what basis do we think they could do this?10.

What are we trying to achieve in integrating data and method?11.

How – according to what logic – do we expect to be able to add the productstogether, or to integrate them?