Evaluating action research.

Abstract

cipants throughout the study for validation and to inform What is it? decisions about the next stage of the study. In healthcare Action research is not easily defined, as it is an approach settings, this often involves a careful process of negotiation to research, rather than a specific method. The term is across traditional boundaries (for example, between health used widely and loosely throughout the scientific and and social care professionals or between hospital and professional literature. However, the following definition community care settings). This requires both excellent broadly captures its meaning. interpersonal skills as well as research ability. ‘‘Action research is simply a form of self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in social situations Simultaneous contribution to social in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own practices, their understanding of those practices, science and social change and the situations in which the practices are carried If the purpose of research is to better understand and out’’ [1]. ultimately improve practice, then action research does this at the same time as generating findings for wider disseminaAction research can be seen as a rejection of more tion. With a focus on reflexive methods, the approach not traditional positivist and interpretative views of science (or only allows participants to learn for themselves but also a third way) in dealing with theory development within a empowers them to improve the social contexts in which practice discipline [2]. It is concerned with doing research they work. It is argued that action research findings are with and for people, rather than doing research on them more meaningful to practitioners because they more closely [3]. It focuses on working with people to identify problems reflect reality by responding to events as they naturally in practice, implement solutions and to monitor the process occur in the field. Action research is often written up as a and outcomes of change. Most definitions incorporate case study and it is important to note that generalisation is three important elements: its participatory character; its therefore different to more traditional forms of research democratic impulse; and its simultaneous contribution to [5]. Case studies are a means by which theoretical explanasocial science and social change [4]. tions of phenomena can be generated using analytic induction. Often action research accounts are written up in their rich contextual detail and readers are invited to judge the Participatory character relevance of the findings to their own practice situation. Participation is fundamental to action research. It is an The truths contained in a successful report are thus assumed approach which demands that participants perceive the by shock of recognition. need to change and are willing to play an active part in the research and the change process. All research requires willing subjects, but the level of commitment required in Relevance to health service research any action research study goes beyond simply agreeing to answer questions or be observed. It is important that Action research has been in existence for over 55 years volunteers participating in an action research should feel and has long been used in a variety of disciplines [2]. It is able to negotiate continually their involvement in a study, designed specifically to bridge the gap between theory, and that the researcher agrees with participants an ethical practice and research. At a time when there is increasing code of practice within which to conduct the research [2]. concern that research evidence is not sufficiently influencing practice development [6], action research is gaining credibility in healthcare settings [7]. Action research acknowledges Democratic impulse the value of professional judgement in applying scientific evidence in practice. Working closely with practitioners Action research requires participants to be seen as equals, not only with the researcher, but also with each other. The and using reflexive data collection methods, action researchers are better placed to explain the nature of professional action researcher formatively feeds back findings to parti-