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Chapter 3 Research Framework
More recently, Reason and Bradbury (2008: 5) reiterated that AR is a participatory
cyclical process in their definition of action research as a:
“Participatory process concerned with developing practical knowing in the
pursuit of worthwhile human purposes. It seeks to bring together action and
reflection, theory and practice, in participation with others, in the pursuit of
practical solutions to issues of pressing concern to people, and more
generally the flourishing of individual persons and their communities.”
(Reason and Bradbury, 2008, pp.5)
McNiff and Whitehead (2009) also explained that AR involves 1) taking action:
doing something in practice in order to improve it, 2) doing research: finding out
about and analysing practice to see whether something has actually improved, 3)
telling the story, and 4) sharing the findings. Robinson and Street (2004) further
explained that AR design is circular or spiral, unlike traditional linear designs. After
a preliminary investigation the action is planned, implemented and monitored.
Reflection aides the analysis and this yields either an agreed success of the
implementation or a modification and beginning of another cycle. These cycles
continue until the situation has been improved. The key elements that are evident in
all of these explanations are that AR is about identifying practical problems and
collaborating with participants in order to introduce changes that may reduce these
problems. This is a continuous process.
Further to the cycles or processes of conducting action research there have also been
different approaches or types of AR identified. Carr and Kemis (1986) identified
three types of AR: technical (investigating issues raised by external researchers that
are not the concerns of the practitioners), practical (facilitators collaborate with
individuals or groups of practitioners to investigate a problem of mutual interest) and
emancipatory (action research is conducted by, with and for people, rather than
research on people to effect change). Greenwood and Levin (1998) support an
emancipatory approach to AR and explain that action researchers do not apply
techniques to a situation but rather bring knowledge and skills to a group of people
who collaboratively open up the possibilities of self-managed social change. AR is
based on the philosophy that all people have detailed, complex and valuable
knowledge about their lives, environments and goals. The participant’s knowledge is