Week 1 - Action Research

What is action research?
     Action to bring about change
     Research to increase understanding on the part of the researcher
     about the problem

What are some characteristics of action research?
     Cyclic research consisting of intention/planning before action, 
     and review or critique

What are some advantages and disadvantages of action research?
      ADVANTAGES
      It lends itself to work and practice
      It increases learning by researcher and the action cycle is a learning
      cycle
      It is usually participative which implies a partnership

      DISADVANTAGES
      It is harder than conventional research in some ways
      It does not always accord with the researchers expectations
      It is difficult to write about in a conventional way
      Library research is more demanding
      It is more difficult to isolate and report

  It often takes longer than conventional research

How do you do action research?
      There are many ways to do this research.
      There are several paradigms within the methodologies, each drawing
      on a number of methods for data collection and interpretation
      Use a cyclic or spiral procedure.
      Continue to refine the research question and methodology (it 
      sometimes starts out fuzzy and becomes clearer as you work).
      Purpose of this research strategy is to determine simultaneously and
      understanding of the problem.

(less) fuzzy methods

                                                         (less) fuzzy answer

                              (less) fuzzy question

       Use different informants, research settings,
       Use the same informant responding to different research questions
       Use information collected at different times
       Use different researchers
       Use the triangulations method (overlap data, cycles, methods)

What outcomes do you wish to achieve

Did you achieve desired outcome?

What actions do you think will achieve the outcomes? Do you still want them?

How do you choose an approach for action research?
      Use a formal or informal approach

How does action science fit this method?
       Allows for intra and interpersonal dynamics

 

What are some methodologies?
        Immersion in reality
        Define the essence
        Proposed changes
        Invent ideal

How do evaluations fit the paradigms?
        Concrete experience
        Active experimentation
        Reflective observation
        Abstract generalism
        Resources
        Activities
        Effects
        Targets
         Ideals

What methods should be used?
         Specific
         Varied

How is the research project done?
         Preliminary reading
         Negotiation
         Structure for participation
         Data collection
         Share results

This week, we'll work through the first two chapters of the textbook and the first three items from your supplemental reading packet.