Action Research

Thoroughly revised and updated, the scope of the Third Edition has been broadened to include the literature and theoretical movements that have taken place since the previous edition. Updated web links and expanded appendices provide cutting edge information on action research along with new case studies and examples as well as an expanded section on doing a literature review.

Table of Contents:
RESEARCH IN PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC LIFE The Purposes and Applications of Action Research: Who does action research and why do they do it? Research: Methodical Processes of Inquiry A Basic Routine Community-Based Action Research: Participatory Approaches to Inquiry Inquiry in Use The Literature On Action Research THEORY AND PRINCIPLES OF ACTION RESEARCH Introducing the Theoretical Foundations of Action Research The Cultural Style of Action Research: Capacity Building Processes The Role of the Researcher Working Principles Relationships Communication Participation Inclusion SETTING THE STAGE: PLANNING A RESEARCH PROCESS Constructing Effective Research Plans Seeking Consensus: Constructing Meaningful Research Looking at the Lay of the Land: Preliminary Activity Establishing Contact Sampling: Identifying Stakeholding Groups Sampling: Identifying Key People Establishing a Role Agenda Stance Position Constructing a Preliminary Picture The Ethics of Action Research Rigor (Not Mortis): The Research Is Alive and Well Credibility Transferability Dependability Confirmability Sociable Research Processes Conclusion LOOK: BUILDING THE PICTURE Gaining Insight: Gathering Data Sources of Information Interviews: Guided Reflection Questions Field Notes Tape Recorders Focus Groups Participant Observation Documents, Records and Reports Surveys Reviewing the Literature: Evidence From Research Studies Measuring: Quantitative Information--How Many!!.? Extended Understanding: Descriptive Analysis Alternative 1: Working Ethnographically: --Collaborative Descriptive Accounts Alternative 2: Six Questions--Why, What, How, Who, Where, When Alternative 3: Community Profile Meetings: Group Processes for Collaborative Inquiry Preliminary Meetings Organizing Meetings THINK: INTERPRETING AND ANALYZING Interpretation: Clarifying Meaning Analysis and Interpretation I : Distilling the Data Categorizing and Coding (1) Analyzing Key Experiences (2) Case Example: Facilitating Workshops Identify learning tasks Analysis and Interpretation II: Enriching the Analysis Extending Understanding: Frameworks for Interpretation Alternative 1: Interpretive Questions: Why, What, How, Who, Where, When Alternative 2: Organizational Review Alternative 3: Concept Mapping Alternative 4: Problem Analysis--Antecedents and Consequences Writing Reports Collaboratively Organizing Meetings Procedures for Analysis Presentations and Performances Conclusion ACT: RESOLVING PROBLEMS--PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS From Problems To Solutions Planning Identifying Priorities For Action Action Plans Quality Check Implementing Supporting Modeling Linking Reviewing Evaluating Conclusion STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT Managing Processes of Change and Development Strategic Planning A Unifying Vision Operational Statements: Enacting the Vision Action Plans Reviewing the Plans Political Dimensions Financial Planning Guiding the Research Process Principles in Operation Appropriate Language Making Decisions Support and Monitoring Evaluating Steps to Evaluation Celebrating FORMAL REPORTS Formal Reports, Theses, and Dissertations The Research Orientation: Assumptions of Interpretive Research Reports, Theses, and Dissertations Structure of a Report Section 1: Introduction--Focus and Framing Section 2: Review of the Literature Section 3: Methodology Introduction Methodological Assumptions: Philosophical Rationale Research Methods Rigor Limitations Ethical Issues Section 4: Research Outcomes/Findings Setting the Scene: Describing the Context Constructing Accounts: Telling People's Stories Constructing a General Account Section 5: Conclusion-Discussion of Findings Giving Voice: Alternative Report Structures UNDERSTANDING ACTION RESEARCH The Place of Theory In Action Research The Theory Behind the Practice "But It's Not Scientific": The Question of Legitimacy Power, Control, and Subordination Understanding Power and Control: Postmodern Perspectives The Next Generation: Community-Based Action Research Giving Voice: Representing People's Experience Changing Our Work and Social Practices: "Scripts" For Policies, Plans, Procedures and Behavior In the Company of Friends Reflection and Practice Appendix

About the Author :
After an early career as primary teacher and school principal, Ernest T. Stringer was lecturer in education at Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia. From the mid-eighties, based at Curtin's Centre for Aboriginal Studies, he worked collaboratively with Aboriginal staff and community people to develop a wide variety of innovative and highly successful education and community development programs and services. His work with government departments, community-based agencies, business corporations and local governments assisted them to work more effectively with Aboriginal people. In recent years, as visiting professor at the University of New Mexico and Texas A&M University, he taught research methods courses and engaged in projects with African American and Hispanic community and neighborhood groups. As a UNICEF consultant he recently engaged in a major project to increase parent participation in the schools in East Timor. He is author of the texts "Action Research (Sage 2007)," "Action Research in Education (Pearson 2008)," "Action Research in Health" (with Bill Genat, Pearson 2004), and "Action Research in Human Services" (with Rosalie Dwyer, Pearson 2005). He is a member of the editorial board of the Action Research Journal and Past President of the Action Learning and Action Research Association (ALARA).