Action research is a systematic inquiry conducted by practitioners, such as teachers, administrators, or organizations, with the goal of gathering information about how their particular practices operate. It is characterized by active participation, reflection, and collaboration among researchers and participants to address specific issues or improve practices within their context.
Action research involves a cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting to bring about positive change and enhance professional development. This helps identify problems, develop solutions, and evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions. This approach empowers practitioners to take ownership of their professional growth and contribute to the broader knowledge base.
Types of action research
There are two main types of action research: participatory action research and practical action research.
Participatory action research
Participatory action research (PAR) emphasizes the collaboration between researchers and participants throughout the research process. In PAR, participants are not merely subjects but active co-researchers who contribute to the design, implementation, and analysis of the study.
This approach aims to empower participants and promote social change by addressing issues of power, inequality, and oppression. PAR is often used in community-based settings, such as schools, healthcare organizations, and social service agencies.
Practical action research
Practical action research focuses on improving specific practices within a particular context. This type of action research is often conducted by individual practitioners or small groups of practitioners who want to enhance their own practices. Practical action research is characterized by a problem-solving approach and a focus on generating practical knowledge that can be applied immediately.
Action research models
There are several models of action research, each with its own focus and approach. Three common models are operational (or technical) action research, collaboration action research, and critical reflection action research.
Operational (or technical) action research
Operational action research aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of existing practices. This model focuses on identifying problems, developing solutions, and evaluating outcomes using quantitative methods.
Operational action research follows a cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. It is often used in organizational settings to optimize processes, reduce costs, or increase productivity.
Collaboration action research
Collaboration action research emphasizes the importance of building partnerships and fostering dialogue among researchers and participants.
This model involves a collaborative process of problem-solving, where researchers and participants work together to identify issues, develop solutions, and evaluate outcomes.
Collaboration action research is often used in educational settings to promote professional development and improve student learning.
Critical reflection action research
Critical reflection action research aims to critically examine and contextualize existing systemic processes by investigating the underlying reasons and historical development of certain practices within those systems.
Critical reflection action research aims to challenge dominant ideologies and promote social justice by addressing issues of power, privilege, and oppression. This approach is often used in social work, community development, and social justice advocacy.
Examples of action research
To illustrate the application of action research, let’s consider two examples: one of participatory action research and one of practical action research.
Participatory action research
An example of participatory action research could be a community-based study on improving access to healthcare services for low-income families. In this study, researchers collaborate with community members to identify barriers to healthcare access, develop interventions to address these barriers and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. Community members are actively involved in all stages of the research process, from designing the study to collecting and analyzing data to disseminating findings. The goal of this study is not only to improve healthcare access but also to empower community members to advocate for their health needs and promote social change.
Practical action research
An example of practical action research could be a study conducted by a group of teachers to improve their instructional practices in a particular subject area, such as mathematics. The teachers identify a specific problem, such as low student engagement or poor performance on assessments. They then develop and implement new instructional strategies, such as using manipulatives or incorporating technology, and collect data on student learning outcomes. The teachers analyze the data to evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions and make adjustments as needed. The goal of this study is to generate practical knowledge that can be applied immediately to improve student learning in the classroom.
Action research vs. traditional research
Action research stands out from other research types due to its focus on generating actionable processes throughout the course of the study rather than primarily contributing to existing knowledge or drawing conclusions from datasets. T
Action research differs from traditional research in several key ways. The following table highlights some of the main differences between action research and traditional research:
| Characteristic | Action Research | Traditional Research |
| Purpose | To improve practices and solve problems within a specific context | To generate generalizable knowledge and test theories |
| Context | Conducted in real-world settings by practitioners | Conducted in controlled settings by external researchers |
| Significance | Generates practical knowledge that is immediately applicable | Generates theoretical knowledge that may not be immediately applicable |
Advantages and disadvantages of action research
Like any research approach, action research has both advantages and disadvantages. The following table summarizes some of the main strengths and limitations of action research:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Addresses real-world problems and generates practical solutions | Findings may not be generalizable beyond the specific context |
| Empowers practitioners to take ownership of their professional development | Requires significant time and resources to conduct effectively |
| Promotes collaboration and dialogue among researchers and participants | May be influenced by researcher bias and subjectivity |
| Generates context-specific knowledge that is immediately applicable | May lack the rigor and control of traditional research methods |
| Emphasizes the importance of reflexivity and self-awareness in the research process | May be challenging to maintain objectivity and critical distance |