Palmer Action Research Flashcards
What is Action Research
Action research is a research method that aims to simultaneously investigate and solve an issue. In other words, as its name suggests, action research conducts research and takes action at the same time. It was first coined as a term in 1944 by MIT professor Kurt Lewin.
Name two types of action research
Participatory action research
Practical action research
What is the focus of participatory action research
Participatory action research emphasizes that participants should be members of the community being studied, empowering those directly affected by outcomes of said research. In this method, participants are effectively co-researchers, with their lived experiences considered formative to the research process.
What is the focus of practical action research
Practical action research focuses more on how research is conducted and is designed to address and solve specific issues.
Methods for collecting action research data
Pre- and Post-Surveys
Surveys or Questionnaires
Interviews
Focus Groups
Observations
Document analysis
Work samples
Action research cycle of inquiry steps
Planning
Acting
Observing
Reflecting
What are the 3 action research models
Operational (or technical)
Collaboration action research
Critical reflection
Define Operational Action Research
Operational (or technical) action research is usually visualized like a spiral following a series of steps, such as “planning → acting → observing → reflecting.”
Define Collaboration Action Research
Collaboration action research is more community-based, focused on building a network of similar individuals (e.g., college professors in a given geographic area) and compiling learnings from iterated feedback cycles.
Define Critical Reflection Action Research
Critical reflection action research serves to contextualize systemic processes that are already ongoing (e.g., working retroactively to analyze existing school systems by questioning why certain practices were put into place and developed the way they did).
What Are the Weaknesses of Action Research?
Measurement focus
Cultural responsiveness
Power dynamics
Define Interval Observation Protocol
An interval observation protocol calls for the action researcher to decide first what behaviors to observe and second how often to observe them.
Advantages of action research
Adaptable, allowing researchers to mold their analysis to their individual needs and implement practical individual-level changes.
Provides an immediate and actionable path forward for solving entrenched issue.
Empowering, informing social change and allowing participants to effect that change.
Disadvantages of action research
Limited generalizability; very difficult to replicate.
Participants may feel pressured to participate or to participate in a certain way.
High risk for research biases such as selection bias, social desirability bias, or other types of cognitive biases.
Why should one consider Action Research
Action research is important. And unlike traditional research, may have an impact towards positive change or problem solving in the short term.
