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Is action research real research?
Dr Ruth Deery
Reader in Midwifery
What is action research?
Action research is an approach used for
improving/changing/gaining greater understanding of
practice
It involves action, evaluation and critical reflection
Based on the evidence gathered changes in practice are
implemented
Participative and collaborative - common purpose
Context specific
Action research cycle
Observe
Reflect
Act
Evaluate
Modify
Move in
new
directions
Stages (cycles)
Stage 1
Problems and
identification
Stage 2
Problem
clarification
Stage 3
Identify and
planning solutions
(what and how)
Stage 4
Implementing
innovation
Stage 5
Evaluating and
monitoring
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What is action research?
Knowledge created through action and at the point of
application to practice
Can involve problem solving if the solution to the
problem leads to improvement of practice
Action research is a holistic way of understanding
practice
...a quest for life, to understand life and to create...knowledge
knowledge which is valid for the people with whom I work and for
myself (Swantz, 2001:1)
Possible limitations to action research
A lack of precision over its nature and definition;
Potential limitations on generalising findings beyond the
local situation;
Attracts problems of change management including
resistance and conflict;
Time consuming for little gain;
It can encounter cultural, professional and managerial
constraints on change initiatives.
Possible limitations to action research
Its methods can conflict with notions of autonomy and
individualisation particularly where these are highly
valued;
Ethical issues require careful explanation and planning;
Change is difficult to measure;
Poor theory development
(Parkin, 2009)
Some concerns.....
Action research lacks rigour and validity
Action research findings are not generalisable
Action research is a deficit model
Action research and mainstream research
(Koshy, Koshy & Waterman, 2011)
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Action research lacks rigour
and validity
How can you achieve objectivity when you are
researching your own practice?
Acknowledging your epistemological stance at the outset
Advisory/validation group, user involvement sharing data
before generating evidence and presenting findings
Rigorous data gathering and data analysis
Acknowledging context specific nature of your action research
Sharing data, triangulation
Action research findings are not
generalisable
Action research does not set out to seek generalisable
data seeks to generate knowledge based on action in
your own place of work
What am I doing here?
How can I improve the situation?
How can I improve my own practice?
Declare lack of generalisability and your beliefs in
advance
Other contexts may apply your ideas and findings or
replicate your study
Action research is a deficit model
Problem solving nature of action research portrays the
process as deficit (Koshy, 2010)
Issue or topic arises from your desire to improve
practice
But...if you are trying to solve a problem developing
strategies for solving that problem are not negative
Making progress and developing innovative ideas and strategies
Provides the means to assist in the development of
appropriate, effective and sustainable solutions to
complex issues make a difference
Action research and mainstream
research
Implied criticism of action research under the glare of
mainstream research
Can action research be considered scientific? (Morrison
& Lilford, 2001)
they need not take this stance ...it is perfectly acceptable to
engage in an enquiry, aimed at bringing about beneficial change
in a manner sensitive to context...rather than mapping everything
out at the start
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Action research and mainstream
research
Action researchers are pioneers flexible planning, use
of iterative cycles, mainstream researchers can
profitably learn;
Deserve credit for their imagination and initiative in
developing these practices;
Healthcare research is highly constrained (especially in
the current economic climate in the UK) potentially
some of the ways of working proposed by action
research could help mainstream researchers
Conclusion
Action research brings about change in specific
situations, in local systems and realworld environments,
with the aim of solving real problems (Parkin, 2009:39)
Action research has numerous enhancing qualities
There are some limitations and criticisms
Features of action research may appear complex
It can explore our professional experience as midwives
and then analyse our clinical practice
As such action research is real research
As well as being exciting, this way of working is also
risky. Action researchers constantly stand on the edge.
The next moment is unknown. They commit to the risk
of creating a new future. This is a different mental set
from traditional assumptions that knowledge is given.
(McNiff & Whitehead, 2006, p.31)
Useful references
Koshy, E., Koshy, V. & Waterman, H. (2011) Action
Research in Healthcare, Sage Publications
Morrison, B. & Lilford, R. (2001) How can action
research apply to health services? Qualitative Health
Research, 11: 436 449
Parkin, P. (2009) Managing care in healthcare: using
action research, Sage Publications