the craft of action research

The Craft of Action Research

( 2 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

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

( 3 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

AgendaAgenda

1. Introduction

2. What do we need?

3. Action Research: Overview

4. The process of Action Research

5. Examples

( 4 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

What do we need?What do we need?

( 5 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

What do we need?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 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Answer: Action ResearchAnswer: 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 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Goals of Action ResearchGoals 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 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Goals of Action ResearchGoals 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 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Goals of Action ResearchGoals of Action Research

• Action Research is concerned with changing situations, not just interpreting them

( 10 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

The Process of Action ResearchThe Process of Action Research

ObservedProblem

UN

DER

STAN

DIN

G

( 11 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Planning for Action ResearchPlanning 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 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Identify the ProblemIdentify 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

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

OBSERVE

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

ObservedProblem

( 13 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Formulate Research Question(s)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]?

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

OBSERVE

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

ObservedProblem

( 14 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Plan Your ActionPlan 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?

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

OBSERVE

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

ObservedProblem

( 15 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Implement and Collect EvidenceImplement and Collect Evidence

•Observe implementation of action

•Observer how action impact changes (or not)

•Collect evidence to support observation

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

OBSERVE

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

ObservedProblem

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

OBSERVE

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

ObservedProblem

( 16 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

ReflectionReflection

•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)

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

OBSERVE

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

ObservedProblem

( 17 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Plan Future ActionPlan 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

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

OBSERVE

REFLECT

PLAN

ACT

ObservedProblem

( 18 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Publish Your FindingsPublish 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 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

ExamplesExamples

TeleHealth in rural Algeria

( 20 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

ICT4D@IDRC: ProjectsICT4D@IDRC: Projects

Research ICT Africa

( 21 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

ICT4D@IDRC: ProjectsICT4D@IDRC: Projects

First Mile

First Inch

( 22 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

ExamplesExamples

Sustainable E-Government for the City of Fez, Morocco

( 23 )www.idrc.ca/cairo

Role PlayRole Play