Chapter 7

Action research, is another method for which we can gather information on a subject, the difference between this type of research method and others, is that for most action research, there need to be an intended outcome or change. Action research is commonly used for ideas or answers to improve their social situations or conditions. This method is also highly collaborative with all participants, done so by the participation and getting involved, in order to create ideas and solutions though their social relationships. Action research has a wide range of applications in classrooms, schools, hospitals justice system, and communities.

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Action research is systematic, it has to be planned out, data needs to be collected, analyzed, and presented in a variety of ways. This type of research, you do not start with answer, the answer must be found through research. An action research project does not have to be complicated of elaborate to be effective. Also when conducting action research, be sure to plan out your study before the collection of data begins, be sure to be flexible to accommodate the various changes that may occur during the the course of the research. Projects can also vary in length, depending on the study, and questions. You must have continuous observations, action research is on a continuum of being simplistic and informal to detailed and formal. Action research is not necessarily quantitative keep in mind we are looking for solutions to a common problem or issue, numbers do not always give us that type of information. Since each study you conduct will be a bit different findings of quantitative action research project are limited.

In basic terms when doing an Action research your are first looking, by assessing a common issue or situation, by gathering information. Secondly we are thinking, by coming up with some sort of explanation for the situation observed. Thirdly were are doing the action part, which is to come to a solution to resolve the issue at hand or taking action to improve or make changes.

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Ethnographic data is also used in action research, as we learned in chapter 6, ethnographic research is done by observations through field work, we can start to ask questions and find solutions just by observing.

Photovoice is anther practice for action research, this strategy facilitates people to engage in a recollection of their own personal accounts or community concerns. It also encourages a dialogue and constant transfer of knowledge or information about those issues though discussion about the photograph chosen by the participants. The main goal is to access information from those experiencing the discrepancies and share them with those who make policies or have a way to control what action to take.