Research methodology for personal and social transformation: purpose-aligned action research, intentional agency and dialogue

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ineke Buskens
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Intentional Agency

scholarly journals Co-designing food waste services in the catering sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 2762-2777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Michalec ◽  
Martin Fodor ◽  
Enda Hayes ◽  
James Longhurst
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Local Policy ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Waste Recycling

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present results from the action research project, where sustainability professionals, local businesses and academic researchers collaborated on exploring barriers for food waste recycling in SMEs food outlets in order to inform local policy and business practices in Bristol, UK. Design/methodology/approach The researchers conducted face-to-face, qualitative surveys of 79 catering businesses in three diverse areas of the city. The action research methodology was applied, where a range of co-researchers contributed towards study design and review. Findings The research reveals the main barriers to recycling and how such perceptions differ depending on whether the respondents do or do not recycle, with “convenience” and “cost” being the main issue according to the already recycling participants. On the other hand, participants who do not recycle state that their main reason is “not enough waste” and “lack of space”. Practical implications Participants recommended a range of measures, which could improve the current food waste services in Bristol. For example, they suggest that business engagement should address the barriers voiced by the participants applying the framings used by them, rather than assuming restaurants and cafes are not aware of the issue. By inviting a variety of non-academic stakeholders into the process of research design and analysis, the project addressed the imbalances in knowledge production and policy design. Originality/value Despite the local and qualitative focus of this paper, the results and research methodology could act as a useful guide for conducting food waste action research in the policy context.

scholarly journals Stimulating community participation in a group of farm workers using action research.

Curationis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Jagananen
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Farm Workers ◽  
Related Activity ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Health Related

This study assessed whether community participation in health related activity was a reality or just popular development rhetoric.Using action research methodology, focus group discussions and informal contacts were made with farm workers consisting of twelve families in Umkomaas, south of Durban in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The aim was to establish whether this community could be actively involved in all aspects of community participation. The level of participation was described using Rifkin’s model (Rifkin et al, 1988). Results of this study revealed that the community was able to identify their own health problems, prioritize them and plan appropriate strategies to meet the needs identified.

scholarly journals Life plan for the Yaquivá indigenous reservation in the municipality of Inza, Cauca Colombia, from the perspective of agroecology

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-151
Author(s):  
Marco Heli Franco-Valencia ◽  
Marina Sánchez de Prager
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Indigenous Community ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Life Plan ◽  
Entire Life ◽  
Education Project ◽  
Life Plans

The Nasa indigenous community on the Yaquivá reservation, located in the municipality of Inza (Cauca-Colombia), has designed a "Life Plan", in which education plays a fundamental role. This is reflected in the Community Education Project carried out at the Jiisa Fxiw agroecological school. However, within the Colombian ethnographic literature, there are no records that systematize these life plans from the agroecologi-cal approach. In order to help fill this gap, the objective of this study was to analyze the life plan for the Yaquivá reservation from the agroecology perspective. Participatory action research was used for the research methodology. The results identified the legal and constitutional frameworks that support this plan and action document as the main strength. In addition, the document facilitates the development of institutionalism with autonomy and identity. It was concluded that the life plan for the Yaquivá reservation, in itself, constitutes a force that surpasses the technological and productive (distributive), socioeconomic (structural), and sociopolitical (dialectical) dimensions. Additionally, as part of the Nasa indigenous community, the entire life plan is influenced and determined by its own worldview, i.e. its spiritual perspective.

scholarly journals The Use of Complex Adaptive Systems as a Generative Metaphor in an Action Research Study of an Organisation

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Callum Brown
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Dynamic Behaviour ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Complex Adaptive

Understanding the dynamic behaviour of organisations is challenging and this study uses a model of complex adaptive systems as a generative metaphor to address this challenge. The research question addressed is: How might a conceptual model of complex adaptive systems be used to assist in understanding the dynamic nature of organisations? Using an action research methodology, 6 Ai r Force internal management consulting teams were exposed to overlapping attributes of complex adaptive systems. The study shows that participants found the attributes valuable in understanding the dynamic nature of organisations; however they did present challenges for understanding. Despite being challenging to understand, using complex adaptive systems to understand organisations, particularly as dynamic systems, is of value.

scholarly journals Lean Management “Quick-Wins”: Results of Implementation. A Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Rodrigues ◽  
José C.V. De Sá ◽  
Luís P. Ferreira ◽  
Francisco J.G. Silva ◽  
Gilberto Santos
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Occupancy Rate ◽  
Implementation Evaluation ◽  
Kurt Lewin ◽  
Lean Tools ◽  
Research Action

<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This study comprised two main goals. The first goal demonstrates how LT (Lean Tools) allows the highest impact during the implementation phase.The second goal consisted of introducing procedure changes based on the Management of Human Resources through Lean Leadership tool. The target for these two objectives is to achieve an increase of 5% in machine occupancy rate and a reduction of 10% regarding the costs of defective products per hour.</p><p><strong>Methodology/Approach:</strong> The research methodology is a Action-Research/Research-Action developed by Professor Kurt Lewin of MIT that goes through cycles of five stages: Diagnosis; Planning; Implementation; Evaluation, Conclusions.</p><p><strong>Findings:</strong> Regarding the two objectives above mentioned, it was observed an increase of 8.5% in machine occupancy rate and a reduction of 27.9% regarding the costs per hour of defective products. It was created an additional motivation in the employees and very satisfying results in every production.</p><p><strong>Research Limitation/implication:</strong> The study is limited to a Portuguese Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) in the metalworking sector.</p><p><strong>Originality/Value of paper:</strong> Lean tools can be rapidly and easily implemented and quickly understood by the workers. With that implementation, the occupation of the machines has increased and the defects and their costs have decreased, so the added value grows.</p>

Science Youth Action Research: A Curricular Framework and Instructional Approach to Promote Democratic Citizenship

2020 ◽  
pp. 002205742096942
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. Coleman ◽  
Megan M. Leider
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Scientific Inquiry ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Science Learning ◽  
Democratic Citizenship ◽  
Democratic Participation ◽  
Instructional Approach ◽  
Curricular Framework ◽  
Science Curricula ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

Science Youth Action Research (Sci-YAR) is presented here as a curricular framework and instructional approach intended to enhance youth’s participation as democratic citizens. First, we frame the theoretical foundations for science curricula that promote democratic citizenship and explore models of scientific inquiry and action research that inform Sci-YAR’s design. Then, we describe Sci-YAR’s key features, explaining how Sci-YAR is designed to help youth construct views of themselves as agents who use science to bring about personal and social transformation. Finally, implications for using curricular frameworks like Sci-YAR in schools to leverage youth’s science learning for enhanced democratic participation are discussed.

Participatory Action Research With Older Adults: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. e413-e427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Marie Corrado ◽  
Tanya Elizabeth Benjamin-Thomas ◽  
Colleen McGrath ◽  
Carri Hand ◽  
Debbie Laliberte Rudman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Critical Interpretive Synthesis ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Given population aging, the meaningful involvement of older adults in influencing policy and programs through participatory action research (PAR) is increasingly vital. PAR holds promise for equitable participation, co-learning, community mobilization, and personal and social transformation, however, little scholarly attention has been given to critically evaluating how PAR has been taken up with older adults. The objective of this review was to critically evaluate the use of PAR with older adults. Research Design and Methods A critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) of 40 PAR studies with older adults was conducted. Critical engagement with the articles identified dominant tendencies, limits of these tendencies, and proposed ways forward. Results Within the majority of articles reviewed, older adults were not prominent partners in PAR given their often limited involvement in designing the research questions, learning research skills and knowledge, and implementing findings for change. Furthermore, power differentials between researchers and older adults were evident, as older adults were often positioned as participants rather than partners. Finally, this article demonstrates various boundaries on the foci of studies related to inclusivity and sustainability. Discussion and Implications This study revealed that the promises PAR holds are often not fully realized in projects with older adults, given that they are rarely positioned as equitable partners, co-learners, or agents for change. The findings have the potential to stimulate further uptake of PAR research with an older adult population, highlighting areas for change in systems and research practices.

Child Sexual Abuse and the Complexities of Gender, Power, and Sexuality

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052090919
Author(s):  
Rhoda Reddock ◽  
Sandra D. Reid ◽  
Tisha Nickenig
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Trinidad And Tobago ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The Caribbean

This article contributes to the still limited analysis of gender and sexuality in the exploration of HIV infection in the Caribbean. In Trinidad and Tobago, child sexual abuse was identified as a prevalent behavior. This motivated a gendered exploration of the sociocultural factors underlying child sexual abuse and the link with HIV. Using a qualitative action research methodology, researchers sought to understand the patterns of behavior, sociocultural and gendered meanings, and significance of child sexual abuse; to sensitize stakeholders to these issues; and to develop multidisciplinary community-based interventions and policies. This article reports on the analysis of data collected from the interventions carried out as part of the action research methodology, as well as a range of national and community-specific action research activities including ethnographic case studies, national stakeholders meetings, and a study of service providers. It provides a nuanced understanding of the meanings, underlying assumptions, perceptions, and taboos associated with child sexual abuse in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as new ways of understanding child sexual abuse in the Caribbean. Findings showed that the social and gender context for child sexual abuse involves several interconnecting factors located within a framework of gender ideologies and expressions, sexual expectations and behaviors, and social norms based on patriarchal values. These findings would be of significance for the prevention of child sexual abuse and the associated HIV risk in Trinidad and Tobago, and the management of victims and perpetrators of child sexual abuse.

Is Action Research Really 'Research1?

1996 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Toulmin
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Scientific Research

The case of Action Research drives a wedge between two opposite views of research methodology: an 'exclusive ' (Platonic/theoretical) one which insists that only objective and quantitative inquiries (as in physics) are genuine scientific research, and an 'inclusive ' (Aristotelian/practical) one that recognizes a need to adapt the research methods of different inquiries to the nature of their problems. The latter approach involves seeing issues of methodology as dependent on half-a-dozen contextual factors, which are crucial to Action Research, yet which the former approach ignores.

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