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The rationale behind conducting action research
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Final Essay This essay will discuss the best practices in action research and it will provide an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of current theories. It will include the criteria for choosing best practices in action research. Also, you will find a discussion on the common threads and themes that is important to my development as a profession.
The Best Practices in Action Research Action research can be defined upon the assumption that all people who affect or are affected by the issue investigated should be included in the processes of inquiry (Stringer, 2014). Stringer (2014) stated, “Action research works on the assumption that all people who affect or are affected by the issue investigated should be included in the processes
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Action research that involves affirmation of past strengths and successes, such as Appreciative Inquiry, will improve the working environment for every organization that place emphasis on what worked versus what did not work. A best practice in action research should not only seek to include people affected, focus on past strengths and success, but it must ensure accurate and valid solutions. This can be accomplished when a researcher will make a claim, included reasons supported by evidence, acknowledge and respond to the views of others while explaining their principles for reasoning (Booth, Colomb, & Williams, …show more content…
To propel an organization forward Appreciative Inquiry should be utilized; subsequently, it provides a shift from problem analysis to positive core analysis that allows everyone to be part of a team that carry out the work needed to realize the new dream and designs for the future (Cooperrider & Whitney, 2005). It is because of this, that Appreciative Inquiry action research is suited for my profession. In my profession, I assist students to be the best they can be. Another criterion for choosing best practices in action research involves the investigation of an issue that does not require traditional reports should utilize action research; thus, it entails an investigation based upon repeated cycles of acquiring information, reflecting on the information gathered, and planning practical steps toward resolution of the issue investigated that suggest research to be constructed continuously on the look, think and act model for the resolution (Stringer, 2014).
The Hero’s Journey assignment became a vital assignment with great meaning. The paper became a challenge because I reflected on my life and the things influencing my skills as a leader. Putting my experiences on paper became a hard thing to do because I felt vulnerable sharing the things I never considered to put on paper. In the end, the assignment proved therapeutic because I was able to answer questions about my life and make connections on why I do the things I do. The innovation segment became a valuable experience for me because I never thought innovation could become so powerful. One concept I learned from the segment became looking around my organization with an observer's eye. I found the idea effective because instead of criticizing my organization on the surface, I needed to observe the organization in the entirety. Nonviolent communication proved to become one of the most effective tools I ever encountered. I was able to use skills to reduce conflict. NVC made sense to me because it provided the comfort I needed to address conflict. I also appreciated the concept behind DISC style. By applying the concept in my work environment, I notice a change amongst my fellow co-workers.
Based on the preceding ontological and epistemological assumptions a researcher then makes methodological assumptions. Having decided on exactly what is to be studied the researcher then decides how the research can best be managed thus formulating a plan of action. Considerations include whether the research used should be primary or secondary. Whether one will test an existing hypothesis or whether one will construct a theory after having collated evidence. Finally one can draw conclusions as to which strategy to implement with the ultimate goal of producing the type of knowledge that is required. This then results in the type of method or methods of research to be used.
requires self-assessment and analysis of actions and calls for a change in order to improve
Schon (1983) identified “reflection on action” and “reflection in action”. In reflection on action, professionals consciously scrutinise their past practice to gain insight and improve future practice.
A researcher needs to familiarize himself/herself with the limitations present in any research, design, and method. This will help the researcher ensure positive possibilities in reliability and validity. It is also important to add the importance of recognizing and becoming aware of philosophical assumptions to help reduce bias throughout the research.
Zikmund, W., Babin, B.J., Carr, J.C., & Griffin, M. (2010). Business research methods (8th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson/South-Western
An Appreciative Inquiry can be “as formal as a year-long, whole system process involving hundreds of employees and other stakeholder in interviews, dialogue and decision-making, Or it may be as informal as a conversation between a manager and an associate” (Cooperrider, Whitney, & Stavros,2008,p. 101). There are 5Ds- Definition, Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny (Cooperider and Whitney, 2001) for participants to use in order to implement positive working
Planning or conducting a study requires research and a good design. “A good design, one in which the components work harmoniously together, promoting efficient and successful functioning; a flawed design leads to poor operation or failure” (Maxwell, 2013, p. 2). When conducting research, the research questions are the normal starting point. They are what drives the study and, therefore, the piece that controls the design which all other components must follow (Maxwell, 2013). With the research questions at the center of the design, unlike typical research models, the interactive model of research design is connected in such a way as to provide
Within this assignment the writer will answer question six, seven, and eight of the review questions found within Paul Cozby and Scott Bates’ book, Methods in behavioral research. Specifically the writer will address the dynamics of a case study, archival research, and content analysis, all of which can be seen in qualitative research.
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) was pioneered in the 1980s by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva. (TCFAI, 2014) Cooperrider was doing doctorial research under Srivastva at Case Westen Reserve University, using the Cleveland Clinic Foundation as the subject. The organization impressed him because of the cooperative way it functioned. When the Clinic Cooperrider was asked to help turn the hotel around. Instead of changing staff or sending them to training. He sent them to a hotel that was an excellent example of the way a hotel should operate. They then were to list all of the positive things they found, only the positives, no negatives. The staff returned energized and with many ideas. Thus AI was born. AI operates on the assumption that ...
Barrett, F.J. & Fry, R.E. (2005) Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Approach to Building Cooperative Capacity. Chagrin Falls, OH: Taos Institute.
It also sues strategies of inquiry such as narratives, phenomenologist, ethnographies, grounded theory studies, or case studies. The researcher collects open-ended, emerging data with the primary intent of developing themes from the
...em or concern, collect data, evaluate data, and create action strategies, share results with other participants and reflect-ing. Action research may use both quantitative and qualitative research to assist the researcher in analyzing their research, as well as providing a variety of ways to work differently in the school setting.
Research has got three of the most common and useful purposes which are exploration, description, and explanation. Exploration is whereby most of the social research is conducted to discover a topic, which is, to begin to familiarise a researcher with that topic. This approach usually takes place when a new interest or when the subject of study is relatively new. At times exploratory research is pursued through the use of focus groups, or guided small group discussions. Exploratory studies are done for three purposes which are firstly to fulfil the researcher's curiosity and plea for better understanding, secondly to test the viability of undertaking a more widespread study, and lastly to improve the methods to be employed in any consequential study (Babbie 2011:67). Exploratory studies are also a basis of grounded theory. The main defect of explorato...
Practitioners who engage in action research inevitably find it to be an empowering experience. Action research has this positive effect for many reasons. Obviously, the most important is that action research is always relevant to the participants. Relevance is guaranteed because the focus of each research project is determined by the researchers, who are also the primary consumers of the findings.