scholarly journals From Research to Action: Four Theories and Their Implications for Knowledge Mobilization

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Mosher ◽  
Uzo Anucha ◽  
Henry Appiah ◽  
Sue Levesque
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Knowledge Mobilization ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Building Capacity ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Action Change ◽  
The Relationship

Integral to both knowledge mobilization and action research is the idea that research can and should ignite change or action. Change or action may occur at multiple levels and scales, in direct and predictable ways and in indirect and highly unpredictable ways. To better understand the relationship between research and action or change, we delineate four conceptualizations that appear in the literature. Reflecting on our experiences as collaborators in a community–university action research project that set out to tackle a “wicked” social problem, we consider the implications of these conceptualizations for the project’s knowledge mobilization plans and activities. The major lessons point to the importance of building capacity by nurturing collaborative learning spaces, of drawing many others – situated differently and with varied perspectives – into dialogue, and of embracing change within the project itself.

Making and measuring “good” HR practice in an SME: the case of a Yorkshire bakery

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Doherty ◽  
Ann Norton
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Original Model ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how “good” HR practice is characterised in SMEs and what the drivers are for adopting this good practice. The paper also explores methods for measuring the impact of HR practice which are helpful and realistic in the context of an SME. Design/methodology/approach – The research was carried out in one SME, a bakery based in South Yorkshire. It was an action research project which utilised semi-structured interviews, participant observation on the factory floor and analysis of company documentation in the diagnosis phase. In addition, reflections on action interventions have informed the findings, together with post-project, semi-structured interviews with key actors three years after the completion of the project. Findings – The drivers of good HR practice were found to be size, market position, external “coercive networks”, presenting issues, the ideology of the managing director and the energy of an HR champion. The findings demonstrate that the impact of “good” HR practice can be best evaluated in SMEs through one-shot, cost-based metrics or more strategic qualitative measures. Originality/value – The paper develops an original model to show the relationship between the drivers, the HR practices adopted and measurable outcomes. This makes an important contribution to the debate about HRM within SMEs and it has practical value for informing the development of good HR practice in SMEs.

scholarly journals An investigation into the undergraduate dissertation tutorial as a Personal Development Planning (PDP) process to support learner development

1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Raiker
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Successful Completion ◽  
Action Research Project

The investigation discussed in this paper was motivated by a finding revealed through analysis of the dissertation grades of final year undergraduates on an education honours degree. A third of dissertations received grades equating to third class honours or fails and this was viewed by the Faculty as being unacceptable. As a Fellow of the University’s Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning with a focus on personal development, I was asked by the course leader to identify possible causes and suggest changes. My critical reflection on the dissertation suggested that its creation is predicated upon Personal Development Planning (PDP) processes practised through the mediation of the tutorial. I am investigating the effectiveness of the tutorial to support learner development over a two year period, contributing to an overarching action research project undertaken by the National Action Research Network (NARN). This paper presents the outcomes of the first cycle of my action research, involving the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from students and dissertation supervisors. At this stage it appears that the design of the dissertation meets the needs of some students but not all, particularly the lower third of the sample cohort. Furthermore some students, including a number of thirds and fails, do not perceive tutorial support as essential for the successful completion of their dissertations. Overall, it appears that the tutorial process requires review in order to support the autonomous and/or collaborative learning needed for effective learner development.

ÎNVĂŢAREA COLABORATIVĂ ÎN CADRUL UNEI CERCETĂRI ACŢIUNE DEZVOLTATĂ PENTRU A RĂSPUNDE PROVOCĂRILOR IMPUSE DE ŞCOALA ONLINE

2021 ◽  
Vol LXIX (1) ◽  
pp. 7-29
Author(s):  
Leyla Safta-Zecheria ◽  
Sebastian Ştefanigă ◽  
Ioana-Alexandra Negru ◽  
Francisca-Hortensia Virag ◽  
Anca Mărgineanu
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Tutoring Program ◽  
Educational Processes

The measures put in place to stop the spread of the Covid-19 have had a major impact on the organization of educational processes. School teachers have been faced with overnight digitalization of their activities without always receiving adequate support with this transition. The present paper reports on a participatory action research project in the form of a tutoring program that sought to understand and respond to these challenges. The project took the form of an open learning initiative addressed to teachers in April – June 2020, followed by a data collection and analysis phase. 37 teachers in four Romanian counties benefited from personalized forms of support offered by 20 student- tutors enrolled in the Educational Sciences Department at the West University in Timişoara. All project activities were carried out at a distance, in the vast majority of cases, online. In analyzing the data produced by the project (tutor reflection log entries, qualitative interviews and focus groups with teachers and tutor students) we seek to answer the following research question: How did a collaborative learning process emerge as part of a participatory action research project carried out during the onset of online teaching and learning practices?. The collaborative learning responded to teachers’ immediate and individual needs regarding the development of digital competences, as well as related to pedagogical and emotional support. Through the tutoring program, the expected roles of the educational actors were reversed: since the undergraduate students were not primarily beneficiaries of the educational processes, but took on an active part as facilitators of the teachers’ learning processes. Thus, a competence transfer from the university to the pre- university environment took place, at a faster rate than it would usually happen.

Building capacity in consumer-run organizations through action research

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Brown ◽  
M. Shepherd ◽  
S. Wituk ◽  
A. Commer ◽  
V. Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Building Capacity

Exploring the Fourth Order

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barend KLITSIE ◽  
Rebecca PRICE ◽  
Christine DE LILLE
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Fourth Order ◽  
Subject Matter ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Building Trust ◽  
Current Business

Companies are organised to fulfil two distinctive functions: efficient and resilient exploitation of current business and parallel exploration of new possibilities. For the latter, companies require strong organisational infrastructure such as team compositions and functional structures to ensure exploration remains effective. This paper explores the potential for designing organisational infrastructure to be part of fourth order subject matter. In particular, it explores how organisational infrastructure could be designed in the context of an exploratory unit, operating in a large heritage airline. This paper leverages insights from a long-term action research project and finds that building trust and shared frames are crucial to designing infrastructure that affords the greater explorative agenda of an organisation.

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