Stephen Kemmis Model of Action Research

MODELS OF ACTION RESEARCH

STEPHEN KEMMISS MODEL

STEPHEN KEMMISS MODELStephen Kemmis has developed a simple model of the cyclical nature of the typical action research process.

Each cycle has four stepsPlanAct ObserveReflect

ACTION RESEARCHAction research tends to be...cyclic -- similar steps tend to recur, in a similar sequence;

participative -- the clients and informants are involved as partners, or at least active participants, in the research process;

qualitative -- it deals more often with language than with numbers; and

reflective -- critical reflection upon the process and outcomes are important parts of each cycle. Action research requires the teacher reframes a problem by looking at in different contexts, from different perspectives as a part of larger system by making comparisons, by applying the problem to different groups.

The cycle best known in Australia is probably that of Stephen Kemmis and his colleagues at Deakin University, the steps are:plan --> act --> observe --> reflect ; then, in the light of this, plan for the next cycle.The reflection leads on to the next stage of planning. The "planning" isn't a separate and prior step; it is embedded in the action and reflection. Short, multiple cycles allow greater rigour to be achieved.The stepsJustification The steps are simple and give clear guidance to teachers.During the planning phase, teachers can get the criticism and opinions from colleagues to focus on a problematic issue.Teachers will be to know the appropriateness of their research.Observation will be scheduled (recorded) and journal entries made for documentation and referral purposes.Used more than one way to create data to create triangulation.