The Craft of Action Research

1. The Craft of Action Research

2. I don’t just want to research something- I want to make a difference (O'Leary, Z. 2004)

3. Agenda • Introduction • What do we need? • Action Research: Overview • The process of Action Research • Examples

4. What do we need?

5. What do we need? • Research efforts that go beyond explaining specific phenomena • Research that enacts change • Research results that can be immediately applied • Researchers as problem solvers

6. Answer: Action Research • Action research is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they address issues and solve problems. (Wikipedia)

7. Goals of Action Research Action Research Problem Solving that is not designed, executed and assessed as an integral part of a research effort Research that does not include design, execution, and assessment of one or more problem-solving cycles Action research, i.e. research that includes and is mainly based on practical problem-solving

8. Goals of Action Research • The improvement of practice through continual learning and progressive problem solving • A deep understanding of practice and the development of a well specified theory of action • An improvement in the community in which your practice is embedded through participatory research

9. Goals of Action Research • Action Research is concerned with changing situations, not just interpreting them

10. The Process of Action Research

11. Planning for Action Research • What is my concern? • Why am I concerned? • What do I think I can do about the situation? • What will I do? • How will I show whether I am influencing the situation for good? • How will I produce evidence of my influence? • How will I ensure that any claims I make are reasonably fair and accurate? • What will I do then?

12. Identify the Problem • An overview of the problem at a general level and why you (and others) see this as an important problem or challenge • A description of the problem, including the impact it has on development • Who is affected by the problem? • What are the goals for improvement? • Be as specific as possible

13. Formulate Research Question(s) • Good questions often arise from visions of improved practice and emerging theories about the change that will move the researcher closer to the ideal state of working practices • When stated in an if/then format, they can take the shape of a research hypothesis. • Example: If [insert the action to be taken], how will it affect [describe one or more possible consequences of the action]?

14. Plan Your Action • How action/reflection is to be carried out and evaluated? • How milestones are reached? • What are the intended outcomes? • What data need to be collected? • Within what timeframe this work is to be carried out?

15. Implement and Collect Evidence • Observe implementation of action • Observer how action impact changes (or not) • Collect evidence to support observation

16. Reflection • Analyse collected data: • What can be learned? • What patterns, insights and new understanding can be discovered? • Identify the impact of the project on the target group (community, village, etc)

17. Plan Future Action • What can be done differently to achieve the intended outcomes? • How can the insights gained from this phase contribute to the design of further action to improve the problem situation

18. Publish Your Findings • Identify your audiences • Explain the problem • Describe the research method • Include collected evidence • Discuss reflections and findings • Make recommendations for future action

19. Examples TeleHealth in rural Algeria

20. ICT4D@IDRC: Projects Research ICT Africa

21. ICT4D@IDRC: Projects First Mile First Inch

22. Examples Sustainable E-Government for the City of Fez, Morocco

23. Role Play