This presentation was given at the 2011 Design, Development and Research conference and aims to showcase the positive implications of Action Research as a methodology when investigating design areas of interest. The practice of design, as well as design thinking, is compared to Action Research, and in particularly Participatory Action Research, to highlight the similarities in processes and knowledge generation. Participatory Action Research compliments the practical nature of design, which is often solution or goal orientated. The benefit of Action research is two-fold: firstly, it allows the researcher to gain general knowledge about the area of study while, secondly, generating specific information which can be used to change the situation. The presentation and paper draws on findings from an MTech Degree study entitled Networks For Design, Through Design which used Participatory Action Research as the main methodology of the project. The presentation discusses the various phases of the study in relation to Participatory Action Research and describes how this methodology supported and guided the project outcomes.

1. taking it further
Vikki du Preez
Department of Research, History and Theory of Art and Design
Cape Peninsula University of Technology

2. Introduction
This is a presentation about
action research and design
research, but first…
taking it further

3. Introduction
Changing times
Changing students
Changing ideas
taking it further

4. Introduction
Networks for Design, through Design
designer(s) +
client(s) +
sometimes manufacturer(s) +
sometimes supplier(s) =
collaboration/cooperation =
design
taking it further

5. Introduction
Networks for Design, through Design
learn

taking it further

6. Introduction
Networks for Design, through Design
1. cycle of research and learning
2. continuous stakeholder involvement
3. allow for responsive actions
4. encouraged reflection
This stated to remind me of…
taking it further

7. Introduction
Networks for Design, through Design
…the design process itself and
constructivist learning theory.
3 main phases:
Context, Calculation & Creative Exploration
Selection & Production
Reflection, Adaption and Reflection
taking it further

8. Design & Constructivism

9. Design & Constructivism

10. Design & Constructivism

11. Methodology
Networks for Design, through Design
The criteria set out for the research
1. cycle of research and learning
2. continuous stakeholder involvement
3. allow for responsive actions
4. encouraged reflection
+ taking into account the design
process and constructivism.
taking it further

12. Methodology
Networks for Design, through Design
(Participatory) Action Research

13. Participatory Action Research
Kurt Lewin – planning | action| reflection model
Intention
Action
What are you hoping to
achieve? Who are your
stakeholders?
Review
Did you achieve your goal? Did
you find the information which
enabled the change needed?
ACTION
What actions are necessary
to find the information you
need and reach your goal?
Were the changes appropriate?
Did the planned actions lead to
appropriate outcomes?
No
Yes
No

14. Participatory Action Research
1950’s - declined
1970’s – revived | educational focus
Greenwood and Lewin (2001) noted that action research:
“both as a form of multidisciplinary
knowledge generation and as a form
of stakeholder-centred organizational
change, is the best hope for successful
university reform”
taking it further

15. Participatory Action Research
+ Design
• Focus on a cyclic progression from
observation to action.
• Acknowledge the importance of
stakeholders in the process.
• Use the new knowledge in a
practical way
taking it further

16. Participatory Action Research
+ Design
“The purpose of action-oriented research
is to generate knowledge that can be used
to address practical concerns of local
communities, organisations, and groups
and incorporates local understandings of
specific practices and issues.”
(Small and Uttal: 2005:938)

17. Participatory Action Research
+ Design
Allows the design to work in a way which
is known, to generate knowledge and
apply it in a practical (design) way as well
as establishing a platform for reflection.

18. Fin
Questions?