Theory and Practice in “Action Research”



Theory and Practice in “Action Research”

Action research has a long history, going back to social scientists' attempts to help solve practical problems in wartime situations in both Europe and America. While many trace its origins to the work of Kurt Lewin in the 1940s to design social experiments in natural settings, and who is credited with the phrase "Nothing is as practical as a good theory", action research practice draws on a wide field of influence, including critical thinking, liberationist thought, and feminism. While many of the original forms of action research espoused participation, power was often held tightly by researchers. However, more recent developments place emphasis on a full integration of action and reflection and on increased collaboration between all those involved in the inquiry project, so that the knowledge developed in the inquiry process is directly relevant to the issues being studied. Thus action research is conducted by, with and for people, rather than research on people.

It is important to understand action research as an orientation to inquiry rather than as a methodology. Thus a recent text describes action research as "…a participatory, democratic process concerned with developing practical knowing in the pursuit of worthwhile human purposes, grounded in a participatory worldview… It seeks to bring together action and reflection, theory and practice, in participation with others, in the pursuit of practical solutions to issues of pressing concern to people, and more generally the flourishing of individual persons and their communities. "

We can see how this 'bringing together' can occur by considering three strategies of inquiry which are highly interdependent. Good action research will strive to stimulate inquiry at each of these levels and to create connections between levels:

First-person research practices address the ability of individual researchers to foster an inquiring approach to their own lives, to act awarely and choicefully, and to assess effects in the outside world while acting. First-person inquiry skills are essential for those who would provide leadership in any social enterprise.

Second-person action research/practices such as co-operative inquiry address our ability to inquire face-to-face with others into issues of mutual concern, usually in small groups. In co-operative inquiry a small group of peers work together in cycles of action and reflection to develop both understanding and practice in a matter of mutual concern.

Third-person research/practice includes a range of practices which draw together the views of large groups of people and create a wider community of inquiry involving persons who cannot be known to each other face-to-face. Under this heading we include for example practices which 'network' small inquiry groups, the range of large scale dialogue and 'whole system' conference designs, and the 'learning history' approach.

Action research typically involves groups of participants and co-researchers and co-subjects engaging in cycles of action and critical reflection. However, this basic process has been elaborated in different ways in different schools of practice.

Organizational change and work research. There is a longstanding tradition of action research in organizational settings which aims to contribute both ...