ACTION RESEARCH

ACTION RESEARCH

1. Definition

   • A small-scale intervention in the functioning of the ‘real’ world and a systematic, close examination, monitoring, and review of the effects of such an intervention, combining action and reflection to improve practice.
     • Hands on research

2. Principles

   • Reflexive Critique
     • Understanding personal biases
   • Dialectical Critique
     • Awareness of the relationship of contextual elements
   • Risking disturbances
     • Be open to criticism
   • Collaboration
     • Every view is a contribution
   • Creating plural structures
     • Consider multiple points of view, not a single authoritative one.

3. Characteristics

   • Seeks to improve the quality of human actions
   • Contributes to a science of education
   • Frequently uses Case Studies
   • Celebrates discourse
   • Strives to be emancipatory

4. Participatory Action Research

   • Advocates
     • Democracy
     • Empowerment
     • Emancipation

5. Procedures

   • Step 1
     • Identification
     • Formulation
     • Evaluation
   • Step 2
     • Draft proposal
   • Step 3
     • Literature review
   • Step 4
     • Modification or redefinition of the initial statement
   • Step 5
     • Selection of research procedures
       • Sampling
       • Data collection
   • Step 6
     • Choice of the evaluation procedures
   • Step 7
     • Implementation of the plan
   • Step 8
     • Data interpretation , inferences and evaluation

6. Reporting

   • Might be reported in narrative form
   • Might be written with the reader in mind
   • Must include the methodology and interpretation of data

7. Ethical Issues

   • Principle of inclusivity
     • Respect for all participants as stake holders who genuinely share decisions
   • Principle of maximal participant recognition
     • Respect for all participants in any role as full memebers
   • Principle of negotiation and consensus
     • Aims, content and operation of the research and ownership of the data is agreed
   • Principle of communicative freedom
     • Any participant can leave the research at any moment
   • Principle of plain speaking
     • The language must be understood by all participants
   • Principle of right action
     • All members must adjudicate the moral rightness of the aims
   • Principle of critical self-reflexivity
     • Ensuring transparency
   • Affective principle
     • The feelings of the participants are respected and count