Lesson Introduction

After two lessons, right now you should have a better idea about what action research is and how it is different to other research types. After the conceptual discussion of action research, we will start putting our hands on action research from this lesson. With your “desire for change” in mind, in this lesson, we will discuss the process of action research and how it is different to other research traditions. In addition, to start developing your own action research project, you will be required to pining down your research topic after this lesson.

 

Purposes of Action Research

Action research is designed for a dual purpose: to yield change (the "action") and understanding (the "research") at the same time.  In other words, an action researcher takes both the role of practitioner and the role of researcher. This is a key strength of action research. This strength depends on the flexibility and responsiveness deriving in part from its cyclic process.

 

You can view action research as a family of processes for combined action and research. 

 

Change often requires flexibility and participation.

Research depends upon high quality data and accurate interpretations.

 

Often it's useful to be able to meet both these conditions.  Action research is designed to allow people to do so.

 

Other research paradigms may also be used in change situations.  Action research, however, is often an appropriate choice.  After all, it is intended to lead to change.

 

As we discussed in previous lesion, in addition to solve a researcher’s own “desire for change”, an action researcher is often involved in action research because of other people’s “desire for change”. For example, when an organization has a matter which is of genuine concern to them (a desire for change), they may hire an action researcher to help them find the problem. The following is a story about this point:

 

Apollo 13 was the moon expedition that almost ended in disaster. There was an explosion in a computer panel.  The astronauts lost control of the module: they were faced with circling the earth, as a satellite, forever. The NASA engineers could not solve the problem A problem solving consultant (the action researcher) was called in. The consultant knew nothing of the relevant computer technology, or space navigation, or whatever other knowledge was required. But the consultant's process allowed the engineers to pool their knowledge and their experience. Eventually, the problem was solved. The astronauts returned safely to earth.

 

Action researchers can help people identify problems more effectively, set better goals, develop better plans.  All of these also depend upon better diagnosis (one of the practitioner's labels for research). And often, the consultant helps the clients to plan action.  The action often happens later.