You are here

Introduction to Action Research
Share

Introduction to Action Research
Social Research for Social Change

Second Edition


December 2006 | 320 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
How do social researchers know how to select the action research (AR) approach that is most appropriate for their study? Aimed at providing newcomers to AR with the different approaches they seek, Introduction to Action Research, 2/e introduces the history, philosophy, social change agenda, methodologies, ethical arguments for, and fieldwork tools of AR. The book opens with a brief presentation of two cases of AR. This is followed by chapter on the philosophical and methodological arguments for AR as a form of scientific inquiry that better meets scientific standards than what is currently called "social science" in academia. The authors next explore the marginalization of AR activities in academia, followed by four cases drawn from the authors own practice, including some examples of failures. Two new chapters engage the student and researcher into the current debates on action research as "tradition" or its own "methodology", and how action research takes shape in the university environment. In the final section of the book the authors cover six different approaches to doing AR. Throughout the book, the authors employ a consistent AR praxis supported by suitable methods and tools to integrate a philosophical, methodological, and political economic position to view the different kinds of AR practices. Introduction to Action Research provides experienced researchers and practitioners with more appropriate and productive ways of using AR for conducting social research.
 
What Is Action Research?
 
Introduction: Action Research, Diversity, and Democracy
 
A History of Action Research
 
Action Research Cases From Practice: The Stories of Stongfjorden, Mondragón, and Programs for Employment and Workplace Systems at Cornell University
 
Science, Epistemology, and Practice in Action Research
 
An Epistemological Foundation for Action Research
 
Scientific Method and Action Research
 
Social Science Research Techniques, Work Forms, and Research Strategies in Action Research
 
Knowledge Generation in Action Research: The Dialectics of Local Knowledge and Research-based Knowledge
 
The Friendly Outsider: From AR as a Research Strategy to the Skills Needed to Become an Action Researcher
 
Varieties of Action Research Praxis: Liberating Human Potential
 
Pragmatic Action Research
 
Power, Liberation, Adult Education, Feminism, and Social Reform
 
Educational Action Research
 
Participatory evaluation
 
Rapid Rural Appraisal, Participatory Rural Appraisal, and Participatory Learning and Analysis
 
Human Inquiry, Collaborative Inquiry, Cooperative Inquiry, Action Inquiry, Self-reflective Inquiry, and Mapping the Varieties of Action Research
 
Action Science and Organizational Learning
 
Action Research, Higher Education, and Democracy
 
Educating Action Researchers
 
Action Research, Participation, and Democratization

"[This book] is an excellent addition to the bookshelf of any social change researcher. Additionally, it is a first-rate resource for educational researchers within organizations or the community."

Margaret Mulligan
Medical Education Specialist, Medical College of Wisconsin

Useful for the case supplies offered. The contention that AR is more scientific than other social science research makes it problematic to include this volume as a key text in a course where such approaches are also taught as equally valid approaches.

Dr Peter Oakley
Gold/Silversmithing,Metalwork&Jeweller, Royal College of Art
November 15, 2016

This is a comprehensive and detailed introduction to Action Research as much as it is a worthy introduction for undergraduates engaging with research for the first time.

The book is a resource book, history and theoretical account all in one, and is written in a detailed yet accessible manner for all levels of undergradute study.

Dr Peter Watt
Business Management, York St John University
January 25, 2015

This is a good book on the philosophy but in terms of application, it is less useful. My course is actually organized around a team project in the community. So I went with another book. But put this on reserve for students to use as needed.

Jayne Docherty
Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University
April 21, 2013

Good overview with effective and useful case studies. Perhaps too specialised and US orientated for HNC Sociology.

Mr David Ness
Social Science, Moray College UHI
January 22, 2013

The examples shown represent interesting cases for use in class work. The diversity of situations depicted gives a complete idea about the heterogeneous scope of action-research concerning the different objects of research and intervention as well as the different social and cultural contexts.

Dr Pedro Silva
Dep. Economia, Sociologia e Gestao, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
December 14, 2012

A must if undertaking action research. Chapter on Epistemology is essential reading. Many text avoid or skim over this aspect.

Miss Tracey Barnfather
Midwifery Division, Northampton University
October 22, 2012

This is an excellent introduction to action research. I use it not only to teach, but also for my own projects.

Dr Anna Feigenbaum
Social Sciences and Humanities, Richmond, The American Int'l University in London
June 27, 2012

This book gives a good overview on action research, and can be used by students who choose action researc as their approach in their bachelorproject

Mrs Kirsten Henriksen
Socialrådgiveruddannelsen i Århus, Via University College
March 6, 2012

This book makes Action Research easy to understand. It not only outlines what Action Research is but also details the history, background and epistemology of research for social change.

Mrs Kathryn Nethercott
Applied Social Studies, Bedfordshire University
March 5, 2012

For instructors

Please select a format:

Select a Purchasing Option

SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. SAGE Research Methods links over 175,000 pages of SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and more.

With SAGE Research Methods, researchers can explore their chosen method across the depth and breadth of content, expanding or refining their search as needed; read online, print, or email full-text content; utilize suggested related methods and links to related authors from SAGE Research Methods' robust library and unique features; and even share their own collections of content through Methods Lists. SAGE Research Methods contains content from over 720 books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks, the entire “Little Green Book,” and "Little Blue Book” series, two Major Works collating a selection of journal articles, and specially commissioned videos.