Action Research
Action Research
Action research is a cycle of self-reflective individual and team work processes with the community as the main actor concerning real issues of individuals working with others alone or in- Thank you, and have a good day!
What are the main steps involved in Action Research?
Action Research generally entails the following steps: identifying a problem, planning an intervention, putting the intervention into action, observing the effects, and then reflecting on the whole process. A demonstration of this is a scenario at school whereby a teacher considers student engagement as a problem, plans a new strategy for teaching, implements it in the class, observes students' responses, and reflects on what they worked on and what did not work for better future practices.
How does Action Research differ from traditional research methods?
The primary differentiation between Action Research and conventional research methods lies in the latter's being more application-oriented and collaborative as opposed to the former. Traditional research is often based on the logic of establishing generalizable theories or the knowledge of Action Research, which is a cyclic and context-pertinent process, that involves the stakeholders to address the most pressing issues. A good example of this would be a community group utilizing Action Research as a way to experiment with and develop the best methods for dealing with local environmental problems while using the "learn as you go" approach.
What are some common challenges faced in Action Research?
Typical issues in Action Research are unwillingness to change, lack of time, and the essentiality of stakeholder involvement. A case in point is that teachers may face opposition from the team of teachers due to the fact that they are used to teaching in a traditional manner, when they are about to try new strategies. Furthermore, the cyclical characteristic of Action Research where there is a need for continuous support can be difficult in a school framework that is full of activity.
Can Action Research be applied in different fields outside education?
Yes, Action Research is applicable in several areas such as healthcare, business, and community development. For example, in healthcare practitioners can perform Action Research to enhance patient care by detecting the problems amid their practice, making the necessary changes, and evaluating the results together with other healthcare professionals as well as patients.