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Action Research

Author: Janet Peter
by Janet Peter
Posted: Dec 03, 2018
action research

Social movements have been addressing various problems involving civil rights within the last century. Labor movements have succeeded to bring child labor to an end. The movements have also succeeded in providing better-working conditions as well as establishing the right for collective bargaining. Such changes have been made possible by the belief that there exist top-down structures that monopolize the process of decision making and ultimately control the activities of the society. Action research (AR) is a research practice that is used to empower people to regain control through the pursuit of knowledge, evaluation of an issue or challenge, and finally, develop comprehensive solutions to the challenges (Foreman & Murray, 2008).

Action research has placed itself as a modern type of social movement. It is a type of research that is intended to bring involvement to the problems and eventual impacts of the solutions. Practitioners and participants view action research as a type of ongoing educational mindset meant to challenge the old power structures. It also allows communities, organizational employees, and other organizational stakeholders to bring positive changes to the structures with which they are affiliated. Action research is designed to promote the investigation of truth to help gain a better understanding of the problems and their causes either in an organizational or the society.

The available literature does not have clear origins of action research. However, several authors such as Kemmis and McTaggert state that action research might have originated with Kurt Lewin, a psychologist from the United States. Other studies show that action research as a method of academic inquiry has gone through an evolution over the last century. Additionally, the same studies show that action research is derived from the scientific method which, therefore, can be traced back to the late 19th century during the Science in Education movement. There is also evidential literature that shows the use of action research by several social reformists before Kurt Lewin such as Collier, Lippit, and Radke in early 1940s and Corey in early 1950s. Action research might have also been in use as early as 1913 according to McTaggert (1992) where he cites work by Altricher and Gestetner. In this work, a physician referred to as Moreno applied group participation in a community development initiative in Vienna. Other studies have shown that the notion of action research emerged in the 1970s (Atweh, Kemmis, & Weeks, 1998).

Despite the lack of clarity in the origin of action research, Kurt Lewin developed action research in the 1940s. His description of action research showed that action research proceeds in spiral steps where each is composed of planning, action, observation, and reflection. Additionally, he described the last two steps of observation and reflection as an assessment of the outcomes of the action. Planning involves coming up with all the activities that the practitioner is going to conduct. He proceeds to the second phase of action where he performs the actual activities. The practitioner moves on to the third phase where he is involved in observation of the actions he has already performed. The final phase is the reflection where the practitioner reflects about all the three phases. He also evaluates what might have gone well and what might have gone contrary to the plan (Koshy, 2005).

The main aim or application use of action research is contributing to the practical issues of people in an immediate challenging circumstance as well as furthering the objectives of social science. Therefore, action research has a dual commitment to study an organizational or societal system while collaborating with the members of the system to positively change it in what practitioners regard as a desirable course of action. These twin objectives would not be accomplished without active collaboration between the practitioners and the client. Therefore, it emphasizes the essence of co-learning as the major aspect of action research process. It would be conclusive to say that action research is used to improve situations and certain social practices. However, according to Lewin, positive and significant changes would not be possible without having to learn the problem. Additionally, according to him the best way to learn about a phenomenon is trying to change it (Brown, 2000).

I will use action research in tracking my development as an intern in a technological company. Using action research is one of the ways I will gain real life skills and experience in a fast moving world. The four stages of action research will contribute immensely in the development stage because I will be able to plan my next course of action by collecting necessary data. I will then proceed to the next stage where I will execute the plan and various activities. Furthermore, I will proceed to the third stage where I will observe what I will have done in the two initial stages after which I will move to the final stage of reflection. The stage will enable me reflect on the process and give me the opportunity to introduce any change (Langerock, 2000).

References

Atweh, B., Kemmis, S., & Weeks, P. (1998). Action research in practice: Partnerships for social justice in education. New York: Routledge.

Brown, H. (2000). Action research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 3(3), 260-262.

Foreman, L., & Murray, J. (2008). Action research and policy. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 42 (1), 145-163.

Koshy, V. (2005). Action research for improving practice: A practice guide. Thousand Oaks: PCP/Sage Publications.

Langerock, N. L. (2000). A passion for action research. Teaching Exceptional Children, 33 (2), 26-34.

McTaggert, R. (1992). Action research: Issues in theory and practice. Geelong: Deakin University Press.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at Melda Research in custom research paper services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for a custom research paper from top research paper writing companies.

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"Janet Peter is the Managing Director of a globally competitive essay writing company.

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  • Guest  -  1 year ago

    DARPA is experimenting on Citizens of the United States including veterans and any citizen They did it in the 1950s-1970s and they are doing it right now As a US Citizen, You are a Test Subject for any “product” they are developing These products are not products you or I would buy… viruses, bacteria, drug testing, mustard gas style weapons They are unregulated govt bodies acting as dictators spending our money (so exclusively that the president has to get prior authorization before visiting these places) usatrocities.webador.com They opened up their biological sector in 2014… If they are working on medical advancements why aren’t we seeing them much? Perhaps they are once again working on viruses and BS as their track record has shown. they report to the senior department of defense management, and that’s it

Author: Janet Peter
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Janet Peter

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