Action research combines practical action with systematic inquiry. This lesson introduces its purpose, origins, distinctive process, and the different levels and priorities that shape how it is conducted.
Action research is a philosophy and methodology used especially in the social sciences. It seeks transformative change through taking action and conducting research at the same time, with critical reflection connecting the two. Practitioners investigate a real situation, act to improve it, study what happens, and use what they learn to guide further action.
All flashcards
Action research
Empirical, reflective inquiry in which people investigate their own situations while acting to understand and improve them.
First-person inquiry
Inquiry into one's own actions, primarily to support personal change.
Third-person inquiry
Inquiry intended to contribute to broader scholarship, theoretical generalization, or large-scale change.
Double-loop learning
Learning that examines and may change the assumptions or governing variables behind actions.
Cooperative inquiry
An approach in which participants help make research decisions as co-researchers.
Quiz questions
What distinguishes double-loop learning from single-loop learning?Answer: It examines the assumptions or governing variables that shape actions.
In cooperative inquiry, what role do active participants have?Answer: They take part in research decisions as co-researchers.
What kind of teaching model does participatory action research challenge?Answer: A model in which teachers deliver information to passive recipients.
In Lewin's organizational change process, what happens during unfreezing?Answer: The existing situation is examined and the need for change becomes apparent.
In an organizational development action research project, what occurs during the planning or input phase?Answer: The client and change agent collaborate on diagnosis, data gathering, feedback, and action planning.
Based on the Wikipedia article Action research, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.