scholarly journals Collaboration, movement and change: An intra-active action research approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-39
Author(s):  
Moa Frid
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
New Materialism ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Deleuze And Guattari ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Active Approach ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Practice Based Research

This article elaborates an intra-active approach to action research, with examples from a recently started action research project carried out in collaboration with three preschools. The aim of the article is to contribute to the discussion about how practice-based research for change can take shape. Therefore, these questions are asked: Which concepts are central and what is produced in intra-active action research? Which potentialities for change are enabled via an intra-active approach to action research? New materialism theories, starting with Barad, are used to rethink action research, focusing on collaboration, movements, and change. An analysis workshop within the project, starting in circular and horizontal movements, inspired by Deleuze and Guattari through the work of Lenz Taguchi, is revisited. The intra-actions in the workshop produce both generative and undermining processes. Therefore, the intra-active action research approach implies that staying in the complexity of practices, rather than seeking to reduce the ‘messiness’, holds potentialities for change that unwind from the middle.

Evaluation of an action research project in workforce development and organisational change: Healthy Ageing—Nutrition

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwyneth M Jolley
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Action Research Approach

This article reports on the evaluation of an action research project designed to support workforce development in the promotion of healthy nutrition for older people. The evaluation methodology was grounded by the action research approach of the project and focused on case studies of the 10 partner organisations. Findings indicate that the Healthy Ageing—Nutrition Project has resulted in a large increase in awareness and knowledge about healthy ageing and nutrition in the case study organisations, and to a lesser extent, in the broader health and aged care sectors. For the case study organisations it seems likely that transformational change has been made through the project's work of building capacity, mediating and facilitating change and providing resources. Support at board and management level, as well as thoughtful development of the workforce, were critical success factors in bringing about organisational change. The main challenge was identified as time and resources needed. Follow-up evaluation of the health outcomes from nutritional assessment, screening and intervention should also be implemented in order to provide further evidence of the value of this effort.

A collaborative action research project towards embedding ESD within the higher education curriculum

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 857-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Cebrián
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Action ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to present a collaborative action research project conducted at the University of Southampton with the aim to promote curriculum and professional development in education for sustainable development (ESD) and learn from everyday practices of academics. Design/methodology/approach An action research approach guided by participatory and emancipatory approaches was used. An interdisciplinary group of five academic staff members from different subject areas (education; archaeology; electronics and computer sciences; biology; and health sciences) was created with the aim to support the group’s critical reflection and action towards embedding ESD in their teaching practice. Findings The main outcomes of delivery of sustainability teaching achieved through the project and evidences of the impact of the facilitator role are outlined. The facilitator role has enabled reflection and action, together with the identification of specific needs of academics and the factors influencing their engagement and action. Originality/value This research demonstrates the potential of using action research to rethink current practice in embedding ESD and to lead to new practices and actions of communities of practice. The facilitator role and second-order action research can contribute to better decision-making of sustainability as it questions practice, current assumptions and worldviews.

Tutor and international student perspectives on an action research project: use of a business strategy simulation with mixed nationality cohorts

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive R. Kerridge ◽  
Colin Simpson
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach

Purpose This study aims to present the results of a curriculum design intervention, which was undertaken to address the inhibitors and enablers facing international (mainly Chinese) students on a capstone undergraduate strategic management module at a UK university business school. Design/methodology/approach Using an action research approach, the pre-intervention phase identified two main concerns: low levels of student engagement and avoidance of generic academic and language support. The module was subsequently redesigned around a group-based strategic business simulation (requiring collaborative participation of all students), with embedded language and academic support, plus the involvement of bilingual teaching staff. Findings Post-intervention results from the four-year study indicated enhanced academic engagement of international students and a narrowing of the performance (grade) gap between domestic and international students. Practical implications Overall findings should provide strong support for the inclusion of active learning pedagogies in undergraduate business course deliveries, also complementing educational literature that advocates the effectiveness of constructivist pedagogies in mixed-nationality classrooms. Originality/value This study exemplifies a form of participatory action research. The juxtaposition of comments from support and specialist tutors, along with those of students, highlights the validity of views from each stakeholder group.

scholarly journals Building the Research Capacity of Clinical Physical Therapists Using a Participatory Action Research Approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (7) ◽  
pp. 923-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie Janssen ◽  
Leigh Hale ◽  
Brigit Mirfin-Veitch ◽  
Tony Harland
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Clinical Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Journal Club ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Action Research Approach

Background This 2-year study explored the experiences of clinical physical therapists who used a participatory action research (PAR) approach to learn about the practice of clinical research. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of physical therapists who were conducting clinical research, facilitated by a PAR approach. Design A mixed-methods research design was used. Methods Physical therapists completed questionnaires, were interviewed, and participated in focus groups prior to and after the 1-year intervention and 1 year later. The research facilitator took field notes. Questionnaire data were analyzed descriptively, and themes were developed from the qualitative data. Twenty-five therapists took part in 4 self-selected groups. Results Three groups actively participated in the PAR research projects (n=14). The remaining 11 therapists decided not to be involved in clinical research projects but took part in the study as participants. After 1 year, one group completed the data collection phase of their research project, and a second group completed their ethics application. The third group ceased their research project but hosted a journal club session. At completion of the study, the experiences of the physical therapists were positive, and their confidence in conducting research and orientation toward research had increased. The perceptions of physical therapists toward research, relationships among individuals, and how the clinical projects were structured influenced the success of the projects. Limitations Only physical therapists of one hospital and no other health care practitioners were included in this study. Conclusions Fourteen physical therapists divided among 3 PAR groups were overall positive about their experiences when they conducted a research project together. This finding shows that a PAR approach can be used as a novel tool to stimulate research participation in clinics.

scholarly journals Meningkatkan Keterampilan Mengajar Guru Bidang Studi Agama Melalui Pembimbingan Dan Praktek Mengajar

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Alhafif Syahputra
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Teaching Skills ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Traditional Lecture ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Poor Teaching

Teachers in the field of Religious Studies have poor teaching skills. Teachers are always given instruction in the traditional lecture format, which is not accompanied by any teaching techniques. Through mentoring and teaching methods, this project intends to strengthen the teaching skills of Religious Studies teachers at MTsN Pematangsiantar. This research uses a school action research approach, research was undertaken at MTsN Pematangsiantar with a total of 15 teachers involved, and it is a school action research project. The findings revealed that 1) the mean value of teacher teaching skills increased significantly, 2) the mean value of teacher teaching skills in Pre-cycle was 112,00, and the mean value of teacher teaching skills in Cycle I increased to 220,47, and 3) the mean value of teacher teaching skills in Cycle II increased to 253,40.

Radicalising Community Development within Social Work through Popular Education—A Participatory Action Research Project

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 2207-2225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Westoby ◽  
Athena Lathouras ◽  
Lynda Shevellar
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Action Learning ◽  
Popular Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Action Research Approach

AbstractThis article reports upon the efforts of three social work/social science academics in partnership with social and community practitioners, at radicalising community development (CD) within social work. The project was motivated by painful political events and processes unfolding around the world in 2017 and led to the design of a participatory action research approach with thirty-three practitioners. Engaging in several cycles of research (pre- and post questionnaires, observation, focus groups and interviews) and action learning (a popular education knowledge exchange day, a community of practice day and prototyping new projects) several new initiatives were implemented, including the formation of a new Popular Education Network. Reflections and discussion consider the implications of radicalising CD within social worker practice through combining education, organising and linking to progressive social movements. The article overall makes the case that popular education could be a crucial element in enabling the radicalisation of CD within social work.

Stuck in the GeM Jam

2021 ◽  
pp. 118-134
Author(s):  
Jia Ying Chia ◽  
Shenn Ni Chow ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Patricia Kar Wai Ng ◽  
Christian Kahl
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Industrial Training ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Klang Valley

In this chapter, the researchers present the results of the action research project. The GeM (Future General Manager) Program is a specifically-designed training program for outstanding students in the hospitality school to gain specific deep-grounded work experiences in several hotels in Klang Valley, Malaysia. This study used the action research approach to understand the quality of today's industrial training programs. Four final-year undergraduate students from the hospitality school reflected on their training experiences and provided feedback on how the GeM Program can be further developed to enhance the learning outcomes for future training participants. This chapter helps to understand how to develop, design, implement, and monitor a successfully structured training program for the future of the hospitality industry. With this, hotels can acquire the best student trainees who will further their career as employees with them.

Between mission and revenue: measuring performance in a hybrid organization

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Ponte ◽  
Caterina Pesci ◽  
Pier Franco Camussone
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Organizational Mission ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hybrid Organization ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Measurement Tools

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the literature concerning performance measurement tools which allow a balanced control of both social goals and financial performances in a hybrid organization. Design/methodology/approach This paper shows the result of an action research project performed within a hybrid organization in Northern Italy. The tool and the main indicators it should reflect were selected cooperating with the management and stakeholders, and the project was brought on by following Lewin’s (1947) three-stage approach (freezing, moving and, unfreezing). Findings The paper shows how a useful tool for measuring social and financial performances has to be driven by the stakeholders’ needs and has to take into consideration the organizational mission. Originality/value The paper contributes to the performance evaluation literature, as it focuses on a hybrid organization with an action research approach which contributes to bridging the gap between research and practice.

scholarly journals The Domain of Nursing: Developing Practice Through Action Research in the Intensive Care Unit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mary Patricia La Pine
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Communicative Action ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Critical Action Research

<p>In the intensive care unit (ICU) the bedside nurse is the person who carries out the fundamental care to sustain life and comfort for that patient and is the conduit between the patient, their family/whanau, the doctors and the multi disciplinary team. Nursing practice has an indelible impact on that patient's life and future and for their family. This thesis presents a project on the reconnaissance phase of a future critical action research project. The project involved ICU nurses collectively defining their practice within the context of ICU and identifying aspects which needed development and change. As this was the first time that the nurses had met to define and discuss their practice it was essential for them to take this time in order to focus on the  reconnaissance phase as this will guide and inform all future action. The study is informed by Habermas' Theory of Communicative Action which has an emancipatory focus. The action research approach enabled the nurses to reach mutual understanding of their practice and reach consensus on areas of practice they wish to develop to enhance their care of the patient. Mutual understanding and consensus have been achieved using focus groups and interviews involving self reflection as well as collective reflection. The reconnaissance phase as described in this thesis involves the nurse participants collectively identifying their ideals of ICU nursing, then defining where they are unable to meet these ideals in the reality of every day practice. The themes emerging from the discussions are defined in terms of relationships; nurse to patient, nurse to family/whanau, nurse to doctor and nurse to nurse. These relationships are interconnected and all occur within the overarching theme of professional standards of care. Through the process of discussion and consensus the nurses identified nurse to nurse communication and support as the most important aspect of practice needing development. Reconnaissance in this research defines the beginning of the change process as the transformation begins with the creation of the communicative space enabling the nurses to connect and together to look ahead at what changes might now be possible.</p>

Exploring the implementation of mindfulness approaches in an early years setting

2021 ◽  
pp. 1476718X2110527
Author(s):  
Stephanie Holt ◽  
Cathy Atkinson ◽  
Erica Douglas-Osborn
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
School Psychologists ◽  
School Context ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Impact

Children as young as pre-school are experiencing difficulties related to stress, anxiety and inattention which could be supported through the use of mindfulness. However, there is very little research on how to effectively deliver mindfulness approaches within Early Years (EYs) practice. A year-long action research project was conducted with an EYs setting to explore how EYs practitioners can effectively deliver mindfulness, understanding their perceptions of the impact, facilitators and challenges to successful implementation. Findings revealed various facilitating factors including: developing effective and inclusive mindfulness approaches; reflecting on practice; working collaboratively and creating a supportive community. Challenges included issues related to the school context and delivery of mindful approaches. Findings revealed perceived benefits for the children, staff and the EYs setting. Implications for practice suggest it is feasible for school psychologists to support EYs settings to develop mindfulness practices using an action research approach. Future research and study limitations are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document