Meta-theory in action research: from field theory to action science

2011 ◽  
pp. 51-66
Author(s):  
Victor J. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Action Science ◽  
The World ◽  
Kurt Lewin ◽  
Meta Theory

The goal of this paper is to argue for the importance of ‘meta-theories', or "theories about how to build theories", in action research. Meta-theories express the fundamental assumptions about the world that underlie a theory and influence our ability to combine knowledge and communicate. Action research was originally based on "field theory", a meta-theory developed by Kurt Lewin but largely abandoned by his followers. One of the few meta-theories to have emerged from action research is "action science", which developed by Chris Argyris and Donald Schön. Although there appears to be little similarity between the two meta-theories (i.e. field theory and action science), this paper argues that they actually complement each other. It suggests that integrating field theory and action science into a unified meta-theory can provide action researchers and practitioners with concepts that can enable them see their "behavioral world" in ways expand the range of possible goals, actions, and relationships.

Action Research Approaches

2021 ◽  
pp. 119-139
Author(s):  
Karen E. Watkins ◽  
Aliki Nicolaides ◽  
Victoria J. Marsick
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Complex World ◽  
Action Science ◽  
Action Inquiry ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Kurt Lewin ◽  
Address System ◽  
Research Action ◽  
Insight Into

The contemporary use of action research draws on the exploratory, inductive nature of many qualitative research approaches—no matter the type of data collected—because the type of research problems studied are complex, dynamic, and located in rapidly changing contexts. When action research is undertaken to support social and organizational change, support from stakeholders affected by the research problem is essential, creating further complexity. Action research may serve as an alternative to more traditional views of social science. In this chapter, the authors describe action research as envisioned by Kurt Lewin, its originator. They show how two variants of action research—action science and collaborative developmental action inquiry—advance insight into how action research can be used to develop personal capability to address system changes that action research seeks to unveil. They conclude with reflections on criteria for rigor and relevance in action research in today's post-modern, complex world.

Emerging Action Research Traditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-81
Author(s):  
Karen E. Watkins ◽  
Aliki Nicolaides ◽  
Victoria J. Marsick
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Science ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Action Inquiry ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Kurt Lewin ◽  
Address System

The authors argue here that contemporary use of action research shares the exploratory, inductive nature of many qualitative research approaches—no matter the type of data collected—because the type of research problems studied are set in complex, dynamic, rapidly changing contexts and because action research is undertaken to support social and organizational change that requires buy-in from many stakeholders affected by the research problem. Action research serves as a critique and alternative to more traditional views of social science. In this article, the authors first describe action research as defined by Kurt Lewin, its originator. They show how two variants of action research—Action Science and Collaborative Developmental Action Inquiry—advance insight into how action research can be used to develop personal capability to address system changes that action research seeks to unveil. By using the example of an innovative action research approach to doctoral research, the authors illustrate the context-rich, exploratory nature of action research that both generates knowledge for and in change, and developmentally engages collaborating researchers and participants. They conclude with reflections on criteria for rigor and relevance in action research in today's post-modern, complex world.

Judging

2020 ◽  
pp. 82-113
Author(s):  
Mona Sue Weissmark
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
System P ◽  
Evolutionary Advantage ◽  
The World ◽  
Personal Histories ◽  
Kurt Lewin ◽  
The Mind

This chapter discusses the limits of the cognitive view of the mind, most significantly that it attributed the skills and processes of judging, evaluating, and meaning making to pre-assigned information. However, the mind is not a machine of mere inputs and outputs. Instead, according to postcognitive researchers, the human mind is “embodied” and reliant on unconscious judgments and knowledge about the world accumulated intuitively in interaction with the world and other people. Therefore, the post-cognitive view posits that people are active—not passive—participants in the generation of meaning by judging, evaluating, and engaging in transformational interactions: they enact a world. The chapter then considers the limitations of laboratory-controlled studies concerning prejudice and conflict reduction and introduces the concept of “action research.” Coined by the psychologist Kurt Lewin, the term “action research” refers to the triangle of research, training, and action in producing social change. To date, the relatively few studies conducted in this area have yielded no reliable, durable, observable evidence, in part because most of this research has relied on traditional cognitive theories of the mind. Personal histories, memories, and emotions were not considered. The postcognitive revolution, however, recognizes the need for a parallel “affective revolution” to help understand how the emotions are related to the biology of cognition and more specifically to judgments. Moreover, the evolutionary advantage of an affective system is initially evident as a danger signal system.

Shadowing and Consensus Building: a golden bridge

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianella Sclavi
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Decision Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Active Listening ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Science ◽  
Kurt Lewin

Purpose – Much of what the author want to say in this paper had to do with “control” “exactness,” “precision” and their declination in both: shadowing and Consensus Building Approach. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper upholds two things: first, that shadowing is a field technique particularly attuned to action research as defined by Chris Argyris: “I would summarize [action-research and action-science] by saying that Kurt Lewin did three things: he was committed to understanding reality as the participants understood it, he used a combination of so-called ‘normal’ science with a narrative-integrative approach, and he tested his ideas by trying to change the things that he was studying.” Findings – Second, that the results of such a research are best understood by the organization's management when the interpretation and decision process follow an approach based on active listening and an inclusive participatory methodology such as Consensus Building. Originality/value – When this does not happen, the shadowing methodology allows a very rich research experience with no real impact on the organization's life.

scholarly journals Chern-Simons gravity dual of BCFT

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadashi Takayanagi ◽  
Takahiro Uetoko
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Conformal Field Theory ◽  
Entanglement Entropy ◽  
Einstein Gravity ◽  
Conformal Field ◽  
Holographic Entanglement Entropy ◽  
The World ◽  
Higher Spin ◽  
End Of The World ◽  
Chern Simons

Abstract In this paper we provide a Chern-Simons gravity dual of a two dimensional conformal field theory on a manifold with boundaries, so called boundary conformal field theory (BCFT). We determine the correct boundary action on the end of the world brane in the Chern-Simons gauge theory. This reproduces known results of the AdS/BCFT for the Einstein gravity. We also give a prescription of calculating holographic entanglement entropy by employing Wilson lines which extend from the AdS boundary to the end of the world brane. We also discuss a higher spin extension of our formulation.

scholarly journals Perencanaan Strategik Pendirian Ma’had Aly Pondok Quran Bandung

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-193
Author(s):  
Rizka Dwi Seftiani ◽  
Siti Dieny Hafshoh ◽  
Irawan Irawan
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Strategic Plan ◽  
Master Plan ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Kurt Lewin ◽  
Fact Finding ◽  
The Ideal

This research focuses on the process of strategic planning completion of the Ma'had Aly Pondok Quran establishment in Bandung Regency. This research uses Kurt Lewin model of action research method which consists of planning, acting and fact finding on the result of the action. The results of this study indicate that there are several efforts to meet the conditions that have been determined by the Minister of Religious Regulation 71/2015 on the establishment of Ma'had Aly Pondok Quran. The contributing factors of the succesful strategic planning are the results of the present and expected future conditions analysis, the results of Ma'had Aly SWOT analysis, the Master Plan Development Document (RIP)of Ma'had Aly Pondok Quran, Strategic Plan Cycles and Strategic Plan Matrix of the Ma'had Aly performance. These constitute as the guidelines for the realization of the ideal establishment of Ma'had Aly which is in accordance with the Guide of Establishment of Ma'had Aly as stated on the operational guidelines of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.  

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