Action Research

 

 Kuva Margit Mannila

 

Action research may also be called a cycle of action or cycle of inquiry, since it typically follows a predefined process that is repeated over time. A simple illustrative example:

• Identify a problem to be studied
• Collect data on the problem
• Organize, analyze, and interpret the data
• Develop a plan to address the problem
• Implement the plan
• Evaluate the results of the actions taken
• Identify a new problem
• Repeat the process (Source Action research/Glossary of Education research 4.10.2021.)
•  

Table 1 Traditional Research & Action Research

 

Adapted from: Mc Millan, J. H. & Wergin. J. F. (1998). "Understanding and Evaluating Educational Research via What is Action Research? University of Central Missouri. (4.10.2021).

 

 

Figure  Interpretation of the action research cycle, Macintyre (2000,  1) in
Clark,  Porath,  Thiele & Jobe (2020, 14)

 

Organizing your Literature
"When you begin, here are some things to think about as your read the literature. Again, these are not definitive, but merely provided for guidance. These questions are especially focused on other action
research literature:
Questions to Think about as You Examine the Literature
• What was the context of their research?
• Who was involved? Was it a collaborative project?
• Was the choice of using action research as a method justified? Are any models discussed?
• What ‘actions’ actually took place?
• How was data gathered?
• How was data analyzed?
• Were ethical considerations addressed? How?
• What were the conclusions? Were they justified using appropriate evidence?
• Was the report accessible? Useful?
• Is it possible to replicate the study?" Clark,  Porath,  Thiele & Jobe (2020, 49.)

 

 

 

Figure  A basic action research model (Castello 2003, 7). 

 

Action research has orgins in Lewin's (1946) work. According Dick (2002): the action research cycle can be characterized by action leading to critical reflection and then perhaps to turter action. (Costello 2003,7). 

 

 

Figure  An extended action research model. (Castello 2003, 8.)

 

"Action research – which is also known as Participatory Action Research (PAR), community-based study, co-operative enquiry, action science and action learning – is an approach commonly used for improving conditions and practices in a range healthcare environments (Lingard et al., 2008; Whitehead et al., 2003)."  Koshy et. Al. (4.10.2021).

 

"AR has been used in a wide variety of settings in the social sciences, particularly in areas  such as organisational development, education, health, and social care: “In these areas it has a particular niche among professionals who want to use research to improve their practices” (Denscombe, 1998, p. 57)." (French 2009, 187.)

 

 

Zuber-Skerrit (New Directions in Action Research page 9).

 

" Data collection methods  could include:

"

 

 

Zuber-Skerrit (New Directions in Action Research page 11).

 

 

 

Figure  A big picture depiction of the research enterprise (Willis. & Edwards 2014, 4).

 

 

Figure (Willis. & Edwards 2014, 13).

 

 

 

Figure (Craig 2009, 13).

 

 

Efrat Efron & Ravid (2020, 5). 

Efrat Efron & Ravid (2020, 29).

 

References

Action Research. University of Bristol. (4.10.2021). 

 

Attia, Shady. (2015). Writing a research propsal. (5.10.2021).  Video.

 

Business Research Methodology. Action Research. (4.10.2021). 

 

Craig, D. V. (2009). Action Research Essentials. (5.10.2021).

 

 

Clark, J.S., Porath, S.,  Thiele, J. & Jobe, M. (2020). Action research. Kansas State University Libraries. (4.10.2021). 

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2017). Research Methods in Education. Routledge. London. 

Costello, P.J.M. (2003). Action Research. Google Books. (4.10.2021). 

 

French, S. 2009. Action research for practising managers.  Journal of Management Development
Vol. 28 No. 3, 2009, pp. 187-204.

 

Sara Efrat Efron, Ruth Ravid (2020). Action Research in Education, Second Edition: A Practical Guide. Google Books. (5.10.2021).

Page 27 Literature review theme organizer.

 

 

Emerald Publishing. How to carry out action research? (5.10.2021).  Part of history of action research. 

How to Write  an A grade Literature Review. (2019). (5.10.2021). Video.

Koshy et al. What is Action Research? (4.10.2021).

McAteer. M. (2013). Action Research in Education. (5.10.2010).

 

Smith, M.K. (2020). What is action research and  how do we do it? (4.10.2021). 

Somekh, B. (2006). Action Research. Google Books. (4.10.2021). 

 

Spencer, J. (2017). What is action research. Video. (5.10.2021).

 

 

 

Stringer, E. Action Research in Education. (Table of Contents) (4.10.2021).  

 

What is Action Research?  (4.10.2021). 

 

Willis, J.W. & Edwards, C. (2014). Action Research: Models, Methods, and Examples. Google Books. (5.10.2021).

- The twists and turns of action research history.

 

 

Wood-Harper, A.T. (1985). Research methods in information systems: Using action research. (pages 161-180). (5.10.2021).  In RESEARCH METHODS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. E. Mumford et al. (Editors)

Zuber-Skerrit, O.  New Directions in Action Research. (Google Books.) (4.10.2021).

 

 

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