Transcript What is Action Research?

Action Research
IS 280
October 22, 2008
Dr. Richardson
By Morgan Kroll
What is Action Research?
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“a collaborative approach to inquiry or investigation that provides
people with the means to take systematic action to resolve
specific problems” (Stringer, 1999)
“participative organizational research, focused on problem
definition and resolution, which involves (usually) an external
researcher who works with organizational members to arrive at
workable solutions to their problems within the framework of
some theoretical perspective” – (Wilson, 2003)
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direct impact on the immediate workplace, pragmatic, flexible,
and adaptive
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A combination of theory and practice or the “mediating discourse”
between the two (Curry, 2005)
Origins of Action Research
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Kurt Lewin (1890-1947) – social psychologist studying group
dynamics and field theory
Democratic methodology useful for studying
underrepresented communities – striving for equality/justice
Common Criticisms of Action Research:
 No external or internal validity
 Findings are context specific
 Lack of impartiality by researchers and dual role of
researcher/participant
Checkland and Holwell (1997)
Research Areas in LIS
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Role of schools in information literacy (Barrett and Danks
2003)
Distance learning (Knop and Lamaster 2004)
Collection management in a school library (Greenan 2002)
Ann Curry’s examples of action research (2005):
 “Can we evaluate the reference services to LBGTQ and
international students in Vancouver?”
 “What do teenagers want their public library to be like?”
 “Can the academic library be closed at 9pm instead of
10pm?”
 “What do patrons like or dislike about library building
architecture?”
References & Resources
Emerging Technologies – global resources:
http://www.emtech.net/actionresearch.htm
UCLA Institute for Social Science Research
http://www.issr.ucla.edu/research
Wikipedia: ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_research
“Action Research Made Simple”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg83f72_6Gw
“Regina Community Plan on Homelessness”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvTZ3kklAAw
Social Action Research Behind Queens of Heart: Community
Therapists in Drag:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0RoPHLri2M
Resources cont.
Baskerville, Richard, and Wood-Harper, A. Trevor. 1996. “A critical perspective on action research as a
method for information systems research.” Journal of Information Technology 11: 235-246.
Blum, Fred H. 1955. “Action research – a scientific approach?” Philosophy of Science 22 (1) 1-7.
Borda, Orlando Fals. 2001. “Participatory (action) research in social theory: origins and challenges.”
Chapter in Handbook of Action Research: Participative Inquiry and Practice. Edited by Peter Reason
and Hilary Bradbury. London: Sage Publications, 27-37.
Checkland, Peter and Sue Holwell. 1998. “Action research: Its nature and validity.” Systemic Practice and
Action Research, 11 (1), 9-21.
Curry, Ann. 2005. Action research in action: involving students and professionals. World Library and
Information Congress: 71stIFLA General Conference and Council.
Gustavsen, Bjorn. 2001. “Theory and practice: the mediating discourse.” Chapter in Handbook
of Action Research: Participative Inquiry and Practice. Edited by Peter Reason and Hilary Bradbury.
London: Sage Publications, 17-26.
Stringer, Ernest. 1999. Action Research. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publications.