While reading about action research I have concluded that it is a cycle of posing questions, gathering information, reflection, and deciding on a course of action. The purpose is to work to improve the quality of an organization and its performance. When there’s a problem, difficult questions need to be asked and the problem should demand action. Action research can be completed by a team of colleagues or by an individual.
A good problem resists structure, and leads to surprises. Action research requires change and the only way to make that change is to look at the problem in a different context, and from a different perspective. By looking at the larger picture we can make comparisons and apply the problem to different groups of people to gauge the outcomes from each group. Action research allows for researchers to have control over the progress, collect data, and share periodic reports, this allows the researcher to be in control of how and when the plan will be implemented. Then there is the reflection; looking back on the action after the data is collected it is during this time you assess if the new approaches are effective, give feedback with other members of the team and decides which approaches will be included in the team’s organizations.
Your viewpoint on action research is spot on and very insightful. I like the reference you made about "a good problem" because "a problem" is not often thought of as good. By looking at the issue from this lens, an action researcher can utilize the opportunity to turn a negative into a positive. I will think of this as I reflect on "problems" that arise in the scope of my work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, I am still torn on what I will do my research on. So many area's can't seem to decide.
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