4. Characteristics of Action Research
The main purpose of action research within health care is to produce practical knowledge that is useful to health care workers in their everyday lives. The fact that the researcher is often involved in the intervention being undertaken, makes the approach an accessible way for health care professionals to improve practice in areas they understand very well.
The action research process involves a spiral of self-reflective cycles of careful planning, observation, listening, evaluation, and critical reflection around an action being undertaken.
In fact, we all undertake forms of action research in our everyday lives. Think about going to the gym, for example. Take a look at the example opposite and think about the various stages of action research you undertake through this process.
Whilst this example illustrates the power and simplicity of action research, when applied to the creation of an evidence-base with health care improvement, it requires a systematic and objective approach to the inquiry being undertaken, employing the same level of rigour as other forms of research.
Cooperation with other stakeholders such as clients, patients, team members, administrators and service users is central to the action research process. Action research is participatory in nature. In fact it is also described as participatory research.
One of the great things about action research is that it can employ a whole range of data collection methods including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Researchers must choose their research methodologies according to the needs of the investigation being undertaken.
So it is clear that whilst action research is highly accessible, Action Researchers need to develop and use a range of skills in order to conduct both the intervention and observations in order to achieve their aims.
Consider the stages of action research you undertake when going to the gym.
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