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Chapter 3 Research Framework
collaborative inquiry, emancipatory research, action learning and contextual action
research. However, Lewin (1948) was the first person to coin the term “action
research”. AR has since undergone many different formulations and developments
(Reed, 2005) but AR originated from Lewin’s work on change theory. Lewin (1948)
envisaged a process whereby one could construct a social experiment with the aim of
achieving a stated goal. Lewin (1948) conceptualised social change as a three-stage
process: dismantling former structures (unfreezing), changing the structures
(changing), and finally locking them back to permanent structure (freezing). Lewin
(1948) subsequently produced work on group dynamics. This included recognition
of conflict and co-operation in groups. Lewin’s conceptualisation of change as a
three-stage process is still an influential model for social change. Lewin
subsequently established two basic components of action research from his change
theory – generating knowledge and changing social systems through interventions.
The core idea was to increase the control the participants had over their own
situations and to sustain their learning capacities.
Robinson and Street (2004) supported this ideology and stated that action research is
not only about interventions but also focuses on knowledge development and action,
which leads to practical solutions to clinical problems. Tutton (2005) later explained
that AR is a dynamic, cyclical process of planning, action and evaluation, in which
knowledge gained in one cycle can be built upon and developed in future cycles.
Many researchers have defined AR as a cyclical process of collaborative research
(researcher and participants) incorporating reflection and evaluation and using
participatory approaches to change (Greenwood and Levin, 1998; McNiff and
Whitehead, 2009; Reason and Bradbury, 2008; Robinson and Street, 2004; Winter,
1989). However, Greenwood and Levin (1998) and McNiff and Whitehead (2009)
do not place the same amount of emphasis on reflection in the cyclical process as do
Reason and Bradbury (2008), Robinson and Street (2004) and Winter (1989).