This document provides an overview of action research. It discusses action research as a participatory method used to promote positive social change. The document examines the cyclical nature of action research, which involves identifying a problem, collecting and analyzing data, planning and implementing an action, and then evaluating the results. Key aspects of action research highlighted include that it is participatory, cyclical, aims to identify practical solutions to problems, and uses both primary and secondary data collection methods. An example of an action research study on bullying in a charter school is also provided.

1. Academic Residencies
PhD Residency 4 Qualitative Data Collection & Methods Track:
Action Research

2. Objectives
By the end of this session, you will:
1. Examine action research as an approach used to
promote positive social change.
2. Examine the participatory nature of action research.
3. Explore the use of secondary data sources as part of
action research.
4. Explore the collection of primary data as part of
action research.
5. Explore the analysis of data to inform action planning
and evaluation.

3. Session Overview
• History of Action Research.
• How Action Research is used
• Steps in the Action Research Process
• Cyclical nature of Action Research

4. Action Research
Action research seeks to identify practical actions that can resolve or
ameliorate problems and issues on which research focused. (Stringer, 2021)
• Action research is a participatory research method often used in community settings,
the workplace, health, human services organizations, and educational settings.
• Action research targets a problem or goal and begins with a statement of the problem
and asks stakeholders to think about possible solutions.
• Once a problem is clearly stated and agreed upon by all the stakeholders, specific
research questions are developed to guide the data collection phase.
• Data is collected and analyzed to clarify the problem and to answer the research
questions.

5. Seminal Author
• Kurt Lewin described a planned change perspective, applying social science techniques,
and democratic participation vs. authoritarian direction, to the analysis and amelioration
of social problems among workers and community members. He named this process
Action Research.
• Lewin and his colleagues used action research as a guide through a variety of practical
projects involving, intergroup conflict, racial tension, industrial conflict, and cultural
reconstructions. All these projects were aimed at social change.
• This work serves as the basis for a multitude of procedural models for action research
based on the original four-step process:
Step 4. evaluation of effectiveness by observation and data gathering
Step 3. evolution of a plan based on data
Step 2. execution of the plan
Step 1. observation and data gathering

6. Action Research assumes the need to actively engage the
realities of the research setting rather than acquire knowledge
and understanding through passive, disengaged processes.
(Stringer, 2021)
Look Observe what is going on (Observe).
Gather relevant information (Gather data).
Describe the situation (Define and describe).
Think explore and analyze: What is happening here? (Analyze).
Interpret and explain: How or why are things as they are? (Theorize). Image source: Stringer, 2007
Act Define a course of action based on analysis and interpretation (Plan).
Implement the plan (Implement).
Assess the effectiveness of actions taken (Gather evaluation data).
Feedback to the planning process, creating a cycle (Plan).
1. Planning 2. Implementation 3. Evaluation

7. Action Research is based on the assumption that social
change efforts are enhanced through systematic data
collection around a perceived problem or goal.
Action Research is participatory
Action Research is cyclical
Action Research is dynamic
Action Research is systematic
Action Research is formative
Image source: https://research-methodology.net/research-methods/action-research/

8. Action Research Project Example
The human services practitioner who worked as a community liaison with the All-For-
One Charter School noticed an increase in the number of students who were
complaining of bullying. The practitioner spoke with the principal and guidance
counselor, and they decided to conduct an action research project. They gathered
information from the literature, and from their records of reported bullying. They also
gathered data from the local school district on all the schools (public and charter). They
then conducted focus groups with the school personnel and students. Based on the
findings from these sources, a task force representing staff and students was convened
to plan a comprehensive intervention designed to change the culture in the school about
bullying. The intervention had four components. Each component was monitored and
after six months the task force reconvened to assess the outcome of the intervention.
Based on this assessment, it was decided to keep two of the components as they were,
to expand one of the components, and to eliminate the fourth one.

9. Some Common Data Collection Methods
• Pre-existing Data: This is secondary data that already exists and can be obtained from a variety of
sources.
• Surveys: Using structured and some open-ended questions and administered in a variety of ways
including, online, hard copy distribution, telephone surveys, mail out surveys, and face-to-face.
• Key Stakeholder Interviews: Usually using open-ended questions key community informants and
stakeholders are interviewed by phone or in person.
• Focus Groups: A focus group is formed of up to 8-10 persons with common interests, but not
necessarily familiarity with each other, to discuss a series of open-ended questions. Ground rules are
presented to the group at the beginning and a facilitator takes the group through the agenda.
Consensus can occur, but it is not the goal. The variety of ideas is sought.
• Town Halls and Public Meetings: Larger gatherings of person with concern about the issue at
hand. Sometimes they are asked to bring prepared statements. Other times, they can speak or ask
questions spontaneously.

10. Common Data Sources
• Raw data files, published reports, census data, agency service data (pre-existing data).
• Key experts, community stakeholders, service users (surveys and focus groups).
• Community leaders, advocacy organizations, political figures, government officials
(Town Halls).
• Service users are, as well as stakeholders, data sources for the evaluation of
interventions.

11. Activity: Sources of Data
In small groups, consider the following:
• In your area of focus, where would an action research study be used?
o What issue in your area of focus would be served by conducting a group participatory
study?
• In your area of focus, who might be possible participants to include in an action research
study as sources of data?
o Who might have information to share?
o Who would decision-makers be?

12. The Action Research Process
• Data collection and analysis are not the end of action research. For Walden
students, the data collection and analysis are the stages used for the
dissertation. The write-up of this analysis and chapter 5 of the dissertation
recommendations inform the next phase.
• The next phase is the “action” that has been informed by the research. There is a very
specific plan of implementation for the action, using SMART objectives, a Logic Model,
and other tools that bring clarity to the plan. This plan completes the planning process.
• The implementation phase is next, and it is monitored and evaluated for fidelity and for
outcomes. Data is also collected during this phase.
• Finally, the evaluation data is fed back into the process for further planning and
adjustments to the intervention or strategy. This completes the cycle for the action
research project.

13. Data Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting
• For survey results, software such as SPSS can be used for descriptive findings.
• For qualitative interviews and focus groups, transcripts can be manually reviewed for
trends and patterns, or transcripts can be coded for qualitative analysis software such
as NVivo.
• Findings are used to shed light on the original problem and to inform the planning
process for the intervention or strategy to be implemented to address the problem.
• Results and recommendations for the change project are presented in formats that are
appropriate for a variety of audiences. These formats may include written reports,
executive summaries, PowerPoint presentations, videos, and PhotoVoice.

14. Activity: An Action Research Problem and
Research Question
If Action Research is best suited to solving problems that require changes, consider your
area of focus and the action research problem you found in the first group exercise.
• What Research Question would you ask? What needs to change in that area of focus?
• Consider: How would an action research study help answer your research question
and facilitate change?

15. Recommendations for Chapter Five
• For an action research project, Walden students will not implement a change project or
intervention. Only the first cycle or phase of the action research will be conducted. This
includes:
o Identifying a problem and research questions and find a gap in the literature for the
focus of the study.
o Developing a plan to collect data and analyze data and recommend a plan of action
(stop there.)
• Students should consult with IRB if they are planning to conduct research in their own
work settings to ensure ethical research practice.
• Your Chapter Five will present your interpretation of the findings in light of the research
questions and you will relate your findings to the literature. This chapter may also include
the elements of the plan of action.

16. Further Reading
Araujo, J., Garden, P., Larue, L., Still, B., Patterson, L., Blaylock, J., Hogg, S., Murillo, D., &
Venters, A. (2018). Using Action Research in a Graduate Literacy Class to Connect
Theory to Practice: A Replication Study. Journal of Teacher Action Research, 5(1), 57–
74.
Cunningham B. Action Research: Toward a Procedural Model. Human Relations.
1976;29(3):215-238. doi:10.1177/001872677602900302
Infed. (n.d.). What is action research and how do we do it? https://infed.org/mobi/action-
research/

17. Evaluation
How We Measure Our Success
The measure of success is the degree to which problems were solved or reduced in scope, the
change occurred, and the community owns the change.

18. Application Discussion
• What do we mean by participatory action research?
o Answer: For action research, participatory means that
the research takes place in the setting and those
experiencing the problem under study and those who are
stakeholders provide the answers regarding scope, cause,
and solutions to the problem. This can be supplemented
with existing data. Also, these stakeholders and those
experiencing the problem can be included in the research
design decisions.
• What is a good example of an action research question?
o Answer: Research questions should never include the
solution to the problem. We do not want to say what is
missing or lacking. An example of a good research
question for action research: What suggestions do
stakeholders have for improving attendance rates
at the three high schools in Watertown, USA? (this
question tells us what the problem is and where it is
happening)

19. Questions?