Action Research in Greek Traditional Dance: Implementation and Self-Reflection

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the application of the action research methodology in the compulsory course titled “Choreology with emphasis on Greek traditional dance” in the School of Physical Education and Sport Science of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, based on the experiences and self-reflection of the researcher himself, concerning the data collected from the participants in this action research. For that purpose, ethnographic research was conducted in three phases: a) data collection, b) data analysis and c) data interpretation. Data collection was based on observation and interviews, while data analysis and interpretation were conducted under the terms of “self-reflection” and “thick description.” In conclusion, action research is a method that has only been applied scarcely in Physical Education and not at all in Greek traditional dance (GTD), as this particular research method — by its nature — does not exclusively aim at improving the participants’ performance in one technique, but, instead, at interweaving theory and practice by redefining the relationship between the teacher and the student. Nevertheless, the research process under study highlighted the applicability of action research and its variety of prospects in the teaching subject of GTD in the context of PE, as the participants did not only learn “the dance” or “about dance”, but also “through dance”.