Action Research

Term Paper # 99544

Research Designs

Action Research

A discussion of the theoretical and methodological foundations of action research.

1,108 words () | 5 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper defines action research as a contemporary area of scientific and sociological inquiry where behaviors, attitudes, preferences and subsequent actions of a given individual or population are studied. This paper discusses the theoretical and methodological foundations of action research.

Outline:
Introduction
Theoretical Foundations of Action Research
Methodological Foundations of Action Research

From the Paper:

"Kurt Lewin is identified as the originator of action research. In 1946, he provided his initial definition of action research and identified its functionality as a tool in promoting or encouraging change within established social paradigms. This proved to be invaluable as a means of inquiry, as it distinguished quantitative assessment from more flexible procedures of inquiry into qualitative information (Firestone, 1987)."
"Since Lewin's (1946) initial exploration into action research, a series of evolutions have occurred. The Gestalt effect helped to formulate increased exploration into the possible associations and outcomes found between Lewin's initial understanding of action research and how it could be relevant to either the individual or the population. Gestalt theory functions on the premise that all forms of stimuli impact the affected population through creating a sense of tension within the population."

Sample of Sources Used:

Firestone, W. A. (1987). Meaning in method: the rhetoric of quantitative and qualitative research. Educational Researcher, 16 (7). 16-21
Herr, K. G. & Anderson, G.L. (2005). The Action Research Dissertation: A Guide for Students and Faculty. San Francisco (CA): SAGE Publications.
Inu, T. S. (1996) The virtue of qualitative and quantitative research. Annals of Internal Medicine. 125 (9). November. 770-771.
Reid, C. J. (2004). Advancing women's social justice agendas: A feminist action research framework. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 3(3). Article 1. Retrieved 1 October 2006 from http://www.ualberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues/3_3/html/reid.html
Stringer, E. T. (1999) Action Research. San Francisco (CA): SAGE Publications.