1. Action Research
Prof. Sabiha Hussain
Former Director, SN Centre for Women’s Studies
&
Centre for Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy
Jamia Millia Islamia
Date-16.12.2023
RM COURSE
MM INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala
2. Outline of the session
• History of AR
• Concept and Definition
• Aims and Characteristics and types
• Models, Principals, Methods and techniques
• Process and Steps of Conducting Action Research
• Importance, Advantages, Disadvantages and limitations
• Application of AR
7. Definition of action research
“The process by which practitioners attempt to study their problems scientifically in order to guide, correct and
evaluate their decisions and actions in what number of people called Action-research”- Corey Stephan (1962)
“Action research in research used by teacher, supervisors and administrators to improve the
quality of their decisions and actions” - C.V.Good (1959)
“On the spot research aimed at the solution of an immediate problem is generally known in
education as action research” – Mouly (1964)
“Action research is focused on the immediate application, not on the development of theory. It
has placed its emphasis on a real problem, here and now, in a local setting”- Best 1963
Stephen M Corey, professor of
Educational Psychology, and
superintendent of the laboratory
schools at University of Chicago
8. Definition
It prioritizes reflection and bridges the gap between theory and
practice.
It aims to simultaneously investigate and solve an issue.
It is an application of fact findings to practical problem-solving in a social situation to
improve the quality of action within it, involving collaboration and cooperation of
researchers, practitioners, and laymen.
It can be situational (diagnose a problem and attempts to solve it), collaborative,
participatory (researcher takes part in the implementation of findings) and self-evaluation (it
involves constant evaluation and adjustment of research and practice)
Action research is a type of research used in social sciences that implies taking action toward
solving problems while conducting the research.
Action research has been proved to be an effective method of addressing certain issues that involve
human interaction and cooperation (Stringer, 2013).proven
The research is of practical significant and thus deeply rooted in the socio-cultural context of
the social system
9.
10. 5Ws of Action Research
• What- Action research
• Who - teacher, researcher, administrator, social activists
• Where-location
• How- to use a variety of research designs to match the study’s area of
focus
• Why- take action
11. Aims of AR
Aims
of AR
develop
shared
ownership
of the
research
enable other
participants
to direct the
research
process, and
have a say on
what to do,
and how
Create
opportunities for
collective data-
gathering and
analysis
Create space
for
participants
to reflect on
the research
and provide
critical
feedback
build trust
and non-
threatening
environment
allow research
to progress
toward action
and doing if
desired by other
participants.
12.
13. TYPES of ACTION RESEARCH
Individual AR
Collaborative AR
Participatory AR
14. TYPES OF ACTION RESEARCH- LEWIN
Diagnostic Participant Empirical
Experimental
15.
16. Role of Five Cs in Action
Research
Commitment Collaboration Concern
Consideration Change
17. Methods of Action Research
•Observing
individuals
or groups.
Using
audio and
video tape
recording
•Using
structured
or semi-
structured
interviews.
Taking field
notes
Using
analytic
memoing
Distributing surveys or
questionnaires
Using or taking photography
18.
19.
20.
21. Steps in conducting Action Research
Steps in Conducting Action Research
1. identify
the action
research
question
or
problem
2. Review
existing
knowledge
3. Plan
the
research
4.
Collect
data
5.
Analyze
the data
7.
Develop
an action
plan
8. Implement
the action
plan
6. Reflect on
the findings
9.
Evaluate
and
monitor
progress
10.
Reflect
and
iterate
22.
23. Importance of Action Research
Importance of Action Research
Connecting
theory to
practice
Challenging
existing
beliefs,
concepts, and
theories
Critically
reflective
practice and
self-
improvement
Improvemen
t in
established
practice
Connection
to
improvemen
t in situation
community or
organizational
empowermen
t
Professional
growth and
lifelong
learning
24. Two ways to explain AR
AR as a
process
• The process of systematically collecting research data about an
ongoing system relative to some objective, goal, or need of the
system
• Feeding these data back into the system
• Taking action by altering selected variables within the system
based on the data and on hypothesis
• Evaluating the result of action by collecting more data
AR as an
Approach
• the desired outcomes of the action research approach are
solutions to immediate problems and a contribution to scientific
knowledge and theory
• AR is the application of the scientific method of fact-finding and
experimentation to practical problems requiring action solutions
and involving the collaboration and cooperation of scientists,
practitioners, and laypersons
28. Advantages of AR
highly adaptable
immediate and
actionable path
Empowering and
informing social
change
29. Disadvantages of AR
limited generalizability and difficult to replicate
complicated to structure in an ethical manner
high risk for research biases
30. Limitations of AR
Deals with only local problems
May not contribute significantly to
knowledge
Findings may not be generalized
May/may not use standardized tools
Field is generally narrow
Can not make use of
complicated statistical
techniques
Result, if not
implemented, makes
the result futile
31. Difference between Action and Traditional Research
Action Research Traditional Research
Purpose •Solve immediate problems
•Improve existing systems
• Draw conclusions from the data
•Advance existing knowledge
•Provide generalizable and reliable findings
Context •Reactive, derived from
surroundings
•Usually not theoretical in nature
•Focused on crafting strong hypothesis and
seeking causal relationships between variables
•Derived from theory
Significance Practical Statistical
32. Application of Action Research
• Example:
If someone wants to research the farmer community to understand
how farmers learn new information about farming and how to develop
more meaningful ways to communicate information to farmers about
sustainable agriculture that would bring changes in their lives.
A traditional scientist might look at the literature or use their practice
wisdom to formulate a research question. An action researcher, on the
other hand, would consult with the target population itself to see what
they thought were the most pressing issues and best solutions.
Scientists are more like consultants who provide the tools and
resources necessary for a target population to achieve their goals and
address social problems.
Hence, “all action researchers are concerned that research not simply
contributes to knowledge but also leads to positive changes in
people’s lives”
33. Important Tips for Action Research
• It is imperative that you are comfortable openly discussing diversity if
you plan on engaging in action research with communities. This
applies, regardless of your own identity, but is especially relevant for
those who are an “outsider” in terms of gender or race/ethnicity.
• Second, trust need not be earned once, rather you must
continuously build and maintain trust to conduct sound research.
• You must also plan to nurture and intend to maintain these
relationships in a humanistic manner, beyond that of “a research
product.”
• One of the most unique and rewarding aspects of action research is
that it is often interdisciplinary and might bring together researchers
from any number of disciplines from the social sciences
• If your intentions are genuine and you are honest, project delivery
will carry you far
34. Activity for Practice To get a clear understanding of the action research
procedure
Exercise-1
Suppose the students of your class are unable to answer the higher-order
questions, i.e., the questions of comprehension and application level then
what will be your take as a teacher? Draft a research problem on the above
issue.
Exercise -2
If a student disturbs a lot during the class what would be your strategy as
an action researcher?
Exercise-3
What would be your focus or what would you include while writing a short
descriptive summary (1-3 paragraphs) of your action research to describe
your work to others?
Exercise- 4 Write down some Action Plan Questions
35. REF
• Naughton, G. M. (2001). Action research (1st edition).
Routledge.
• Coghlan, D., & Brannik, T., 2005, Doing Action Research in
your Organisation, London: Sage Publicaions.
• Johnson, A. P. (2002). A short guide to action research.
Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
• Alber, S., (2011). A toolkit for action research. New York,
NY: Rowman & Littlefield
•
