Introduction to Action Research Social Research for Social Change

by Davydd James Greenwood; Morten Levin

• ISBN13: 9780761916765
• ISBN10: 0761916768
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-11-01
• Publisher: Sage Publications

Summary

How do social researchers know how to select the action research (AR) approach most appropriate for their study? This book provides an overview of the different approaches. The authors introduce the history, philosophy, social change agenda, methodologies, ethical arguments for, and fieldwork tools of AR. They present an extensive range of cases, some from their own experience and, untypically, they rehearse failures as well as successes. The book will prove invaluable for both newcomers and experienced researchers and practitioners.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: WHAT IS ACTION RESEARCH?

Introduction

Action Research, Diversity and Democracy

A History of Action Research

Action Research Cases from Practice 1

The Stories of Stongfjorden and Mondrag[ac]on

PART TWO: SCIENCE, EPISTEMOLOGY AND PRACTICE IN ACTION RESEARCH

Scientific Methods and Action Research

An Epistemological Foundation for Action Research

The `Friendly Outsider'

Knowledge and Skills in Action Research

Local Knowledge, Co-Generative Research and Narrativity

PART THREE: VARIETIES OF ACTION RESEARCH PRAXIS: LIBERATING HUMAN POTENTIAL

Action Research Cases from Practice II

Pragmatic Action Research

Empowerment and Liberation

Southern Participatory Action Research and Contemporary Feminist Analyses

Action Science and Organizational Learning

Human Inquiry, Co-Operative Inquiry and Action Inquiry

Educational Strategies

Participatory Evaluation and Participatory Rural Appraisal