Action Research (AR) Toimintatutkimus

Transcription

1 Action Research (AR) Toimintatutkimus Prof. Matti Vartiainen Work Psychology and Leadership, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Aalto University School of Science

2 Classical Action Research

3 History of the Concept: John Dewey The extension of experimental inquiry to social practice would lead to an integration of science and practice Science in becoming experimental has itself become a mode of directed practical doing (1929, 24) Experimentation in science is but a special case of human beings testing their conceptions in action - the core of the pragmatist epistemology An idea of a unified scientific methodology for all branches

4 History of the Concept: Kurt Lewin... action-research... research which will help the practitioner The research needed for social practice can best be characterized as research for social management or social engineering. It is a type of action-research, a comparative research on the conditions and effects of various forms of social action, and research leading to social action. Research that produces nothing but books will not suffice. (Kurt Lewin 1946, 35) To study social systems by changing them

5 Types of AR (Lewin) - The investigation of general laws leads to contributions to theory and practice, and to generalisations about natural phenomena - The diagnosis of a specific situation leads to solving immediate, practical problems

6 Newer definitions

7 Definitions of Action Research (AR) A data-based, problem solving model that replicates the steps involved in the scientific method of inquiry Three processes: data collection, feedback of the data to the clients, and action planning based on the data AR is both an approach to problem solving, and a problem-solving process AR as the basic model of organization development (French & Bell 1973)

8 Stages in an action research 3 6 months 6 12 months Problem Modelling - change process - rewarding - competence management Questionnaire Interviews Raport - feedback and recommendations to organisation Action and influence Follow-up Possible construct Refined construct

9 Comparison of concepts Action research takes its problems from the perceptions of practitioners within particular, local practice context. It builds descriptions and theories within the practice context itself, and tests them there through intervention experiments. Action science is a form of action research that places a central emphasis on the spontaneous, tacit theories-in-use that participants bring to practice and research (Argyris & Schön 1991, 86) Participatory action research is a form of action research that involves practitioners as both subjects and coresearchers.

10 Newer definitions of Action Research Socio-ecological perspective (Emery and Trist 1985): organisations in their context increasing uncertainty from stabile to turbulent Communicative perspective (Gustavsen 1992): development of clusters in dialogue (see: Habermas) Understanding Language The construction of language (dialogues) Practice AR as research into social systems tries to bridge the traditional gap between theory and practice and between the researcher and the subjects. The central goal, besides producing new information, is to find solution to practical problems (Kuula 1997)

11 How to make science?

12 From action to science (French and Bell 1973) Five phases of reflective thinking, Dewey, J. (1933) How we think. New York: D.C. Health and co Suggestion Intellectualization Hypothesizing Reasoning Testing the hypothesis by action Scientific method A problem, obstacle, or new idea Thinking A hypothesis Reasoning or deducing the consequences of the hypothesis Observing, testing, or experimenting Action research Identification of problem area Selection of a specific problem and formulating a hypothesis Recording of actions, and accumulation of evidence Inference of generalisations regarding the relation between actions and desired goals Continuous retesting of generalisations in action situations

13 How to make Science of AR? Action Science (Argyris et al. 1985): a neat combination of practice and theory, reflection by theory A lot of controversy about possible and allowed research designs: from free explorative case studies to statistically certified follow-up studies and experiments (interventions, outcomes) Collection of data by observations, interviews, questionnaires, and reasoning Both qualitative and quantitative data: numerical and verbal descriptions, figures, narratives,. AR is an approach - not a strict method or methodology - to study change processes! It is allowed to use different qualitative and quantitative methods Reporting and writing vary a lot

14 Academic Research, Consultancy and Action Science Requirements Research Consultancy Written report A B Stage by stage monitoring of the A B project and its conclusion Description of paradigm (values, A B frames of reference, etc.) Description of methods and A B motives for choice of methods Relationship to other research A B and theory Concentration on generalization of results and methods A B Work leads to recommendation and action Methods of access B A Pre-understanding B A Completion of work within B A alloted time Completion of work within given B A budget (Gummeson 1991) Action Science Strategy These requirements must be met as far as possible but without disturbing the change process and the role of consultant B A Meeting these requirements may involve a loss of methodological clarity and also make it more difficult for someone else to monitor the change process on a stage by stage basis The researcher has to develop his capacity in both of these areas Largely a question of discipline. Meeting the requirements may lead to a lack of clarity in relation to the motives underlying the conclusions and results and may create difficulties in the strict application of research methods Conflicts between the requirements to be met by Academic Research and Management Consultancy and a proposal for an Action Science Strategy A = strong requirements B = limited or no requirement