2. Unit 1: History and Development
of Action Research Methodology
Moodle Learning Unit 1 Presents an overview of the development
and key trends in Action Research
• By the end of this unit you will have used the resources on
Moodle, and your own choice of relevant literature, to develop
your understanding of the key historical and current trends in
action research.
Key ideas to explore:
• Traditional, Contextual, Radical/Participatory and Educational
Trends in AR (see following slides).
3. Traditional
Action Research
• From Lewin’s work in organizations
• Planned ‘top-down change
• Conservative approach
– Generally maintaining the status quo with regards
to organisational power structures
4. Contextual Action Research
(Action Learning)
• From Trist’s work on relations between organizations
– Focuses on relations between actors in a social
environment
– Stresses that participants are designers and co-
researchers
5. Radical/Participatory
Action Research
• Roots in Marxian ‘dialectical materialism’ and praxis
orientation of Gramsci
• Strong focus on overcoming power imbalances
• Strives to bring about social justice and social
transformation via an advocacy process that
strengthens peripheral/marginal groups in society
6. Educational Action Research
• From the work of Dewey: early C20th US educationalist and
philosopher
• Professional development through systematic reflective
practice
• Educators become involved in community problem-solving
• Focus on
– development of curriculum and teaching /learning practice
– Individual/group professional development
– applying learning in a social context
7. Action Research Definitions
Action research approaches:
...assume a close connection between research and action; the
two strands proceed in parallel.
...depends on a collaborative problem-solving relationship
between ‘insider’ researcher (or ‘outsider’ consultant),
working with others to solve a problem and generate new
knowledge.
…your own definition…?
8. • To study a system while working and collaborating with
members of that system;
• To solve practical problems and further the goals of social
science;
• To inform action and foster co-learning through systematic
practitioner research;
• To use research practices systematically (such as a literature
review, data collection and analysis) to move beyond personal
reflection;
• To focus primarily on the practical significance of findings,
rather than statistical or theoretical significance.
Action Research Aims
9. References
• Burke & Litwin, ‘A Causal Model of Organisation Performance and Change’, Journal of
Management, Vol 18, No 3 (1992), pp 523–545.
• Coghlan, D. & Brannick, T. (2001) Doing Action Research in Your Own Organisation. London:
Sage Publications, Ltd.
• Coghlan, D. (2001). Insider action research projects: Implications for practising
managers. Management Learning, 32(1), 49-60.
• Kemmis, S.; Mctaggart, R. (1988). The action research planner. Victoria: Deakin University
Press.
• Lewin, K. (1948) Resolving social conflicts; selected papers on group dynamics. Gertrude W.
Lewin (ed.). New York: Harper & Row, 1948.
• McNiff, J. (2010) Action Research for Professional Development: Concise advice for new and
experienced action researchers (2nd edition). Bodmin and King’s Lynn: MPG Books Group.
• Susman, G.I. "Action Research: A Sociotechnical systems perspective," in Beyond Method:
Strategies for Social Science Research, G. Morgan (ed.), Sage Publications, London, 1983
