Action Research

Term Paper # 99954

Research Designs

Action Research

An analysis of the skills required to conduct action research in the social sciences.

1,581 words () | 10 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper defines and describes the skills that a researcher needs to engage in the social sciences, focusing primarily on action research. The paper explores the rationale behind action research and discusses its theory and practice. It then looks at the skills that are necessary in order to be able to conduct action research. The paper describes, briefly, how social research differs from traditional scientific research.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Exploring the Rationale behind Action Research
Skills Needed to Engage in the Social Sciences and Action Research
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"However, there must also be care and consideration used to ensure that proximity and emotion do not dominate the research method. It is necessary to conduct action research through fully describing all aspects of the research process and the relevant data that was gathered from the research process (Argyris et al, 2000). Data that was not considered relevant but was compiled as part of the research experiment should also be kept on hand, although it is not necessary to write it up in the findings. Doing so will not only help demonstrate the complexity of the data and its associative qualities but will also help researchers verify their data if challenged by external observers or critics who do not approve of the use of the action research method."

Sample of Sources Used:

Argyris, C., Putnam, R., Smith, D. M. (2000). Action Science: Concepts, Methods, and Skills for Research and Intervention. New York: Jossey-Bass.
Babbie, E. (2004). The Practice of Social Research, Belmont, California: Wadsworth/ Thomson, Inc.
Creswell, J. W. (2002) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. San Diego: SAGE Publications.
Darlington, Y. (2002) Qualitative Research in Practice: Stories from the Field. New York: Allen & Unwin.
Greenwood, D. J., Whyte, W. F., & Harkavy, I. (1993). Participatory action research as a process and as a goal. Human Relations. 46 (2). 175 - 192.