1. Inception Training for AfriCLP Fellows
Prof. Timothy Mwololo Waema
Ledger Bahari Beach Hotel, Dar es Salaam
January/February 2018
Introduction to Action Research to Policy Fellows

2. Definitions of Action Research
Action Research Methods
Definitions of Action Research
14th July 2010
Any research into practice undertaken by those involved in that practice, with an aim to change and improve it
Action research is about both ‘action’ and ‘research’ and the links between the two
A participatory, democratic process concerned with developing practical knowledge in the pursuit of worthwhile human purposes, grounded in a participatory worldview
It seeks to bring together action and reflection, theory and practice, in participation with others, in the pursuit of practical solutions to issues of pressing concern to people, and more generally the flourishing of individual persons and their communities
Note: It is quite possible to take action without research or to do research without taking action, but the unique combination of the two is what distinguishes action research from other forms of enquiry
Reason, P., & Bradbury, H. (Eds.). (2001). Handbook of action research: Participative inquiry and practice. London: Sage Publications, p1
Qualitative Methods and Action Research

3. Action Research Overview
Action Research Methods
14th July 2010
Aims:
action to bring about change in some community or organisation or program
research to increase understanding on the part of the researcher or the practitioner or both
Purpose
to gain a greater understanding and improvement (via recommendations) of practice over a period of time
in our case, to influence an identified policy process using scientific evidence
Collaborative in two senses:
that many action research activities are best carried out with stakeholders
that action research always involves the participants, at least in knowing what is being explored and why
that the researcher owns the agenda, despite the collaboration
More qualitative than quantitative
Qualitative Methods and Action Research

4. Action Research Cycle
Diagnosing
Reflecting
Planning
Acting
Observing

5. Action Research Cycle Cyclical with five inter-related stages:
Diagnosing
Analysis of the policy context e.g. where are we with CC policy, strategy or plan (e.g. Agri, Energy, NAP, …)?
Analysis of the stakeholders – interests, passions, expectations, worldviews, knowledge, eg. Using Power- Interest Grid
Planning
Literature review and formulating theories concerning the nature of the research domain
Plan the project with policy stakeholders
Acting – Collaborating with policy stakeholders to take action in the policy process informed by scientific evidence
Observing - Observing & recording the effects of the action
Reflecting - critically reflecting on both the policy process and outcomes. You may find that your action and observations have raised further questions and you need to repeat the cycle e.g. go back to literature for further evidence

6. Checkland’s F, M & A
Checkland suggests AR should be conceptualised in terms of:
F: Framework of ideas that acts as a theory base for the research in a particular action research project, e.g. Actor Network Theory, Political Perspective, Level of use of Research Framework, etc.
M: Problem solving methodology that researchers create or adopt, which embodies F, enabling the theory base to be put into use
A: Area of application
Real-world problem situation where researchers use M, aiming to help people in that situation bring about changes that they agree to be improvements
While acting on A, action researchers reflect on declared F and M, modifying where necessary
Others add R: the actual research process adopted in a particular study

7. AR research process Diagnosing Planning Acting Observing Reflecting
Identify the nature of the problem situation and develop F (framework of ideas) about the situation and how it might be changed
Planning
Specify actions that should alleviate the situation M (Methodology)
Plans should be flexible & adaptable
Acting
Taking action or intervening in the agreed area of A (application) in line with the plan
Observing
Establish whether the theoretical effects of the action were realized, and whether they relieved the problem(s)
Reflecting
Decide on achievements in terms of practical outcomes & new knowledge & whether new AR cycle is required

8. Expectations/roles of the researcher
Plan with practitioners (what to do & why) and collaborate with them within a mutually acceptable ethical framework
NOT expert who analyzes, diagnoses & recommends (NOT consultancy)
Facilitator who enables practitioners do own research
Participants in both the research and actual work
Characteristics
Concentrates on practical and real-world issues
Iterative cycle of 5 inter-related stages
Emphasizes on change and lessons learned
Collaboration with practitioners - need agreed protocol
Use of multiple data collection methods (e.g. KII, FGDs)
Outcomes
Action outcomes (practical achievements) + Research outcomes (learning about problem solving processes and acting in a situation)

9. Action research has been typified as a way to build
Motivations
To make academic research relevant, researchers should try out their theories with practitioners in real situations and real organizations
The emphasis is more on what practitioners do than on what they say they do (researcher observes reality)
Key Assumptions
Social settings cannot be reduced for study, and
Actions bring understanding
Action research has been typified as a way to build
theory,
knowledge, and
practical action
by engagement with the world in the context of practice itself

10. Carrying out practical AR
Action Research Methods
14th July 2010
Organize the actions into small units which can be completed in short time
Take field notes on every action
Actions includes: fieldwork entrance letters, fixing required facilities, meetings and workshops
Anything that consumes time in the field is part of the action
Use some known data analysis techniques
Align our field notes empirical material in those techniques
Think and make sense of the actions and results
Some time is needed away from the field to reflect on the results
Qualitative Methods and Action Research

11. Pros and cons of action research
Focuses on research relevant to people in real-world -> practical benefits
Not readily accepted by some researchers as a ‘serious’ form of enquiry
Bridges the gap between academia and real-world
Sometimes confused with consultancy
Suited to creation & refinement of systems dev. & problem-solving methods
Criticized by some positivists for lack of rigor, inability to establish cause-effect, etc.
Can democratize the research process
Can be difficult to meet the needs & expectations of all
Can have higher goals than other research strategies, e.g. enabling improvements in ways people live
Not suited to people unwilling to work democratically with others in complex, problematic & unpredictable real-world situations

12. Summary - Discussion questions
Action Research Methods
14th July 2010
Policy window of opportunity
Do you have a policy window of opportunity that you can influence?
Are you part of the policy process? If not, how do you enter?
Where will your input be required? Window in process, Area
Framework
What is your conceptual framework or theory? 1) Based on literature review 2) Informs Research Design
Methodology
How will you collect data on the implementation context & the problem you are solving (Area of Application)?
How many Action points are involved and how will you collect data during action? Workshops, meetings, interviews, …
How do you overcome biases from yourself, group think, ...?
How will you handle the ethical issues (consent, whose viewpoints, confidentiality, etc.)?
How will you analyze the data? e.g. Qualitative methods & tools
Other issues
How will you ensure participation of practitioners?
What constitutes reflection?
What constitutes action outcomes and research outcomes?
How will you contribute to research & policy?
Qualitative Methods and Action Research

13. Criteria for evaluating AR
Did the work involve an iterative plan-act-reflect? How many cycles are involved? Do you think this is enough?
Do the researchers make explicit F, M and A?
What general methods were used? Do you think enough methods were used and adequate data collected?
Do the researchers discuss the extent of participation and challenges encountered?
Does researchers recognize biases, e.g. self-delusion and group-think and do they adequately address them?
What practical & research outcomes and generalizations do the researchers claim from the AR?
Is the research of high quality?
What limitations are recognized?
Any other flaws or omissions?
Overall, how efficiently do you think the action research strategy has been reported and used?