Action Research – Chapter 7Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences – Bruce Berg

Presenters: Kenneth KimKyla Huska

Lesson Objectives:• Describe where action research

originated• Give characteristics of action

research• List primary tasks of action research• Describe and give characteristics of

the stages of action research• Describe the action researcher’s role• List and describe the types of action

research

Introduction:

What is action research?• Mode of qualitative research used in past

decade in education and nursing• Highly participatory and reflective and gives

power to the groups involved

Where did it originate?• Believed to have originated in the field of

psychology• Traced to anthropological and sociological

based community research

Primary Tasks:

What are the two primary tasks of action research?

• Uncover or produce information and knowledge useful to a group of people

• Enlighten and empower the stakeholders in the research

Stages of Action Research:

• Identify the research question(s)• Gather information to answer

question(s)• Analyze and interpret the

information• Share the results with the

participants

Characteristics of Action Research:

Identify the research questions:

• Involve all the stakeholders • Form focus groups• Keep in mind the questions are

important to stakeholders and not merely for research purposes

Characteristics of Action Research:

Gather information to answer questions:

• Many methods and approaches such as interviewing, observation, and ethnographic data

• The choice is dependent on the limitations set by the stakeholders

Characteristics of Action Research:

Analyze and interpret the information:

• Analysis depends on the method of action research

• Create categories and themes and then sort the answers to questions

• Analysis involves answering the who, what, why, how, where, when

Characteristics of Action Research:

Share the results with the participants:

• Give empowerment to the stakeholders so that they can collectively make changes

• Use focus groups, in-group forums, informal meetings, agency / institutional / department meetings, and community group meetings

Role of the Action Researcher:

• Stands alongside the community or group under study

• Contributes expertise as a participant in the process

• A partner with the study population• Works with practitioners as well as

stakeholders

Types of Action Research:

Three distinct types of action research:

• Technical• Practical• Emancipating

Characteristics of Technical Action Research:

• Researcher identifies the problem after collaborating with the practitioner who then implements the suggestions given to him to the group

• Tests a particular intervention based on pre-specified theoretical framework

Characteristics of Practical Action Research:

• Researcher and practitioner come to together to identify the problems and possible interventions

• More flexible approach and gives more empowerment to the stakeholders working with the practitioner

Characteristics of Emancipating Action Research:

• Brings theory and book knowledge with real world situations, issues and experience

• Brings a better understanding of the issues by linking theory, enlightenment, and action

Final Notes

• Action research process is a spiral of activity:• Plan• Act• Observe• Reflect