COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT

PhD IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND STRATEGY

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS (MGMT-IBS 714)

ASSIGNMENT

ACTION RESEARCH

Submitted to: Dr. Tilahun Teklu (Assistant Professor)

Submitteed By: Tesfamaryam Assefa

Wengelawit

Selam

ID: GSR/4824/16

January, 2024

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contents
QUALITATIVE ACTION RESEARCH...................................................................................2

1.Introduction.............................................................................................................................2

2.Nature of Qualitative Action Research...................................................................................3

3.Brief Description of Action.....................................................................................................4

4.Rational of qualitative Action Research.................................................................................5

5.Types of qualitative Action Research.....................................................................................6

6.Advantage and Disadvantage..................................................................................................6

6.1Advantages of Qualitative Action Research:....................................................................6

6.2 Disadvantages of Qualitative Action Research:...............................................................6

7.Illustrative examples...............................................................................................................7

Reference....................................................................................................................................8
 QUALITATIVE ACTION RESEARCH

1. Introduction
According to Creswell (2012), qualitative research is a means for exploring and
understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social human problem. He is
focused on engaging participants in a collaborative process of problem-solving and social
change (Lewin, 1946).

Freire's concept of participatory research and his emphasis on the critical consciousness of
participants have been instrumental in shaping the participatory and transformative nature of
action research (Freire, 1970).

Participatory action research emphasizes the active involvement of participants in all stages
of the research process and aims to empower marginalized communities by engaging them in
knowledge generation and social change (Reason & Bradbury, 2001).

Zuber-Skerritt (1982) identifies action research as critical collaborative enquiry by which

reflective practitioners, self-evaluate their own practices and engage in problem solving
activity in participation with other colleagues. Practitioners find their way towards
improvement by overcoming the constraints.

Regarding to this, Qualitative action research is a specific approach to action research that
focuses on understanding and improving the subjective experiences, perspectives, and social
dynamics within a particular context. It emphasizes the use of qualitative methods to explore
and analyse complex social phenomena, aiming to generate detailed and refine insights that
can inform practical action and change.

One of the key features of qualitative action research is its emphasis on the lived experiences
and voices of the participants. It values their perspectives and seeks to understand the social,
cultural, and contextual factors that shape their behaviours and beliefs. This approach
recognizes that people's interpretations and meanings are shaped by their unique social and
cultural backgrounds, and these insights are crucial for designing effective interventions.

2. Nature of Qualitative Action Research

The nature of qualitative action research approach can be understood through various
dimensions, as supported by scholarly sources. Here are some key aspects:
According Reason & Bradbury, (2008), qualitative action research emphasizes active
participation and collaboration among researchers, participants, and stakeholders. It involves
engaging individuals who are directly affected by the issue or problem being investigated and
valuing their input throughout the research process.

Brydon-Miller, Greenwood, & Maguire, (2003), indicates that it promotes reflexivity and
ethical conduct. Researchers critically reflect on their own assumptions, biases, and positions
of power throughout the research process. This reflexive stance helps to ensure that the
research is conducted ethically and that the well-being and rights of participants are
respected.

Qualitative action research is an iterative and cyclical process that involves multiple stages of
planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. It recognizes that knowledge is constructed
through ongoing interactions and feedback loops. This cyclical nature allows for continuous
learning, adaptation, and refinement of interventions (Kemmis & McTaggart, 2005).

Denzin & Lincoln, (2011), qualitative action research emphasis on understanding the context
in which research is conducted. It recognizes that social phenomena are influenced by social,
cultural, and historical factors. Qualitative methods allow researchers to explore and capture
the context-specific nuances and complexities of the phenomena under investigation.

Hence, action research relies on in-depth data collection methods, such as interviews,
observations, and document analysis. These methods allow researchers to capture rich,
descriptive data and explore the subjective experiences and meanings attributed by
individuals. Qualitative analysis techniques, such as thematic analysis or content analysis, are
used to identify patterns and themes within the data (Creswell, 2013).

3. Brief Description of Action

Qualitative action research is an approach to research that combines qualitative methods with
an action-oriented and participatory focus. It involves actively engaging participants and
stakeholders in the research process to address practical issues, promote social change, and
generate insights for improving practice.

In qualitative action research, researchers collaborate with individuals or communities who

are directly affected by the issue being investigated. The research aims to empower
participants, allowing them to share their experiences, perspectives, and knowledge. The
research process typically involves multiple cycles of planning, acting, observing, and
reflecting, with each cycle informing the subsequent actions and refinements. It is particularly
suited for studying complex social phenomena, exploring participant perspectives, addressing
real-world problems, and promoting social change.

4. Rational of qualitative Action Research

The rationale for qualitative action research is based on several key arguments and supported
by various scholarly sources. Here are some of the main rationales:

Understanding Complex Social Phenomena: Qualitative action research recognizes that

many social phenomena are complex and cannot be fully understood using quantitative
methods alone. Qualitative approaches allow researchers to explore subjective experiences,
social interactions, and contextual factors that shape human behavior. This understanding is
crucial for designing effective interventions and bringing about meaningful change (Creswell,
2013).

Emphasizing Participant Perspectives: It gives values the perspectives and voices of the
participants. It recognizes that individuals have unique knowledge and insights about their
own experiences and contexts. By actively involving participants in the research process,
qualitative action research promotes empowerment, ownership, and the co-construction of
knowledge (Reason & Bradbury, 2008).

Addressing Real-World Problems and Challenges: is grounded in addressing practical

issues and challenges faced by individuals, communities, or organizations. It focuses on
generating actionable insights that can inform interventions and improvements in practice.
This practical orientation ensures that the research outcomes have real-world relevance and
contribute to positive change (Stringer, 2013).

Contextual Sensitivity and Cultural Understanding: It recognizes the importance of

context and culture in shaping human behaviour and social dynamics. It allows researchers to
explore the social, cultural, and historical factors that influence individuals' interpretations
and actions. This sensitivity to context helps in developing culturally appropriate
interventions and understanding the complexity of social phenomena (Denzin & Lincoln,
2011).

Reflexivity and Ethical Considerations: Qualitative action research promotes reflexivity

and ethical conduct. Researchers critically reflect on their own assumptions, biases, and
positions of power throughout the research process. This reflexivity helps to ensure that the
research is conducted ethically and that the well-being and rights of participants are respected
(Brydon-Miller, Greenwood, & Maguire, 2003).

5. Types of qualitative Action Research

Qualitative action research can take various forms depending on the specific goals, contexts,
and methods employed. Here are some common types of qualitative action research:

Participatory Action Research (PAR): It involves active participation and collaboration of

stakeholders, such as community members or organizational employees, in all stages of the
research process. It aims to empower participants, promote social change, and address issues
of social justice by combining research and action.

Collaborative Action Research: It aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, with
practitioners actively engaging in the research process and contributing to knowledge
creation.

Critical Action Research: It focuses on addressing systemic inequalities, power dynamics,

and social injustices. It aims to challenge existing structures and policies through research
and action, with an emphasis on empowering marginalized groups and promoting social
transformation.

Developmental Action Research: It aims to improve or develop practices, policies, or

interventions within a specific context. It involves iterative cycles of planning,
implementation, and evaluation to bring about incremental improvements and address
identified issues or challenges.

Pragmatic Action Research: Seeks practical solutions to real-world problems. It emphasizes

the use of research findings to inform decision-making and improve practice.

Transformative Action Research: Focuses on generating knowledge and promoting social

change by challenging and transforming existing systems, structures, and paradigms.

6. Advantage and Disadvantage

Here's a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative action research:

6.1 Advantages of Qualitative Action Research:

 In-depth understanding
 Participant engagement
 Contextual relevance
  Potential for social change

6.2 Disadvantages of Qualitative Action Research:

 Limited generalizability:
 Time and resource-intensive
 Subjectivity and researcher bias
 Ethical considerations

7. Illustrative examples
Here are a few illustrative examples of qualitative action research:

Improving Teaching Practices: A group of teachers collaborates with researchers to

investigate and improve their teaching practices. They engage in a qualitative action research
project, where they observe each other's classrooms, conduct reflective interviews, and
analyze instructional materials. Through iterative cycles of reflection, planning, and
implementing new strategies, they aim to enhance student engagement and learning
outcomes.

Addressing Community Health Disparities: Researchers partner with a community

organization to address health disparities in a specific neighbourhood. They conduct
qualitative interviews and focus groups with community members to understand their
healthcare experiences and identify barriers to accessing quality care. Based on the findings,
the researchers and community members co-design interventions and policy
recommendations to improve healthcare services and reduce disparities.

Enhancing Organizational Communication: A team of researchers and employees in an

organization work together to improve communication processes. They employ qualitative
methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observations to identify communication
challenges and opportunities. Through a series of action cycles, they develop and implement
interventions such as training programs, feedback mechanisms, and revised communication
protocols to enhance communication effectiveness and employee satisfaction.
Reference
Brydon-Miller, M., Greenwood, D., & Maguire, P. (2003). Why Action Research? Action
Research, 1(1), 9-28.

Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five
Approaches. Sage Publications.

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2011).The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research.
SAGE Publications.

Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Herder and Herder.

In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), (2011). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative

Research (3rd ed., pp. 559-603). SAGE Publications.

Kemmis, S., & McTaggart, R. (2005). Participatory Action Research: Communicative

Action and the Public Sphere.

Lewin, K. (1946). Action Research and Minority Problems. Journal of Social Issues, 2(4),
34-46.

McNiff, J. (2013). Action research: Principles and practice. Routledge.

Reason, P., & Bradbury, H. (Eds.). (2008).The SAGE Handbook of Action Research:
Participative Inquiry and Practice. SAGE Publications.

Stringer, E. T. (2013). Action Research (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.