Literature Review: Autoethnography and Action Research
Introduction
Within this literature review two emerging research methodologies will be discussed: Action research and autoethnography. Each of these methodologies has their own purposes, powers and strengths and both differ from other traditional forms of academic research. To gain an understanding of these methodologies, 16 pieces of empirical research have been used. Although two articles are dated back to the 1990s, the majority of research is from the 2000s and onward. This review will begin by discussing action research. First, there will be an analysis of the research platform which will demonstrate the stance, approaches, positioning and history behind this methodology.
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23). This methodology has been characterised as an interactive cycle consisting of identifying problems, diagnosing, developing intervention and evaluating the outcomes to find what has been achieved and to plan further interventions. In this research, Bargal (2008) highlights the importance of bringing together action and reflection and theory and practice. It is suggested that action research should be done in participation with others in the aim of making social change for the betterment of policy and practice.
Although the purposes and characteristics of action research are similar between researchers, criticisms of this methodology lie in the restrictiveness and ‘confusing array’ of models (Davis, 2013; Costello, 2011). With a large variety of models, a few examples are given here to show the variation between each. Costello (2011) refers to an action research model by Denscombe (2007, p.126). This model demonstrates the cyclical process of action research and includes five components: professional practice, critical reflection, research, strategic planning, and action. The idea of this framework is that it involves beginning with professional practice and reflecting on this. It is through reflection that there may be an identification of an issue or problem and it is this issue which requires research. Once an inquiry is completed, the research findings become the starting point for the instigation and development of an action
on the theory and practice in adult learning and action research. This creates a kind of social space in organization that is important in the facilitation of a practice-based example. Making it
Amanda talked about how she used the action research to develop and increase professionalism of both early childhood researchers and practitioners by using the teaching techniques and strategies to support the implement of the research project, using the cycle of reflection and analysing the data, communicating with early childhood teachers to reflect and build skills in their teaching. She developed a scale where she could analyse children’s interests,
Based on my prior knowledge and this week’s resource, I see a little clear why action research can help me address the needs of my students better. This week I have learned the difference between action research/teacher inquiry and education traditional research. Also, I have learned the relationship between action research and teacher professional growth and decision making. Last, I have been able to see what teacher inquiry/action research look like, how they are similar and different.
Participatory action research is defined as the approach in research which is mainly focused and empathizes on action. This approach towards research is fundamentally aligned with the understanding of the world by trying to change it. One of the key reasons due to which PAR is mainly viewed as being controversial is because it intends to confront the existing status quo and affair of things in which they have been operating for a long period of
According to Sullivan and Decker (2009), “Emphasis is placed on the assessment phase of change for two reasons. Without data collection and analysis, planned change will not proceed past the “wouldn’t it be a good idea if” stage” (Sullivan & Decker, 2009, "Chapter 5, Initiating and Implementing Change, The Change Process"). Change does not have to come from only a problem, it can also come from an opportunity. Once the problem or opportunity has been properly identified, internal and external data can be collected. Many factors will have to be examined, like who would benefit from the changes and the costs associated with the changes. Once all the data has been collected, it is imperative that it gets analyzed. A statistical analysis could prove even more beneficial especially if it is presented visually, with either graphs or charts. Once a direction has been established, the next part in the process can begin. In the planning stage, the who, when, and how of the change are determined and the target area is decided. Those in the target are should be actively involved with the planning stage. Doing so will hopefully lessen the chances of resistance later on. In the next stage, which is implementation, the plan is put into motion. There are two different methods for change; changing an individual and changing a group. Information giving is the most common method used in changing an individuals’ attitudes and values. According
In order for a researcher to conduct an action research analysis several factors must be determined. The specific purpose for the research, the components, and stakeholders. My action research project is to address a specific problem my agency has with employee retention within the patrol division during the past three years. In conducting a critical mass analysis it is important to determine who has influence and can assist with making suggestions on changes or give necessary data. Stringer (2007) states, "action research is a systematic approach to investigation
In making “distinctions between basic and applied research and between human service practice and policy more concrete, it is useful to identify five focal areas where research is applied in the human services: identify the problem, research design development, collect data, analyze the data, and public dissemination” (Monette, Sullivan, & DeJong, 2011 p.4).
Apply principals of effective teaching based on educational theory, laws, county and school policy, and ethical practice in the comprehensive
I performed this action research project at River Community College in West Michigan. The community college provided educational opportunities to the
Qualitative Data Collection assignment was chosen as meeting Outcome 6 - Evaluate evidence-based decision making to create new practices, because it provided sources that can be used in evaluating evidence-based decision making in the creation of new practices. Data is a tool that can validate the need for creating new practices; subsequently, it can measure the outcomes desired to be obtain through action research. Data obtained from the interview and observation processes can provide adequate information about what is needed to implement the change process. The data needed for the
When deciding upon a research design it was the need to ‘question the nature of knowledge and the extent to which knowledge can represent the interests of the powerful and serve to reinforce their positions in society’ (Baum, MacDougall, & Smith, 2006: 854) that led to using participatory action
Action learning and research involve action and reflection on that action and have learning as one of their goals. As experiential learning is the basis for both the learning part of both action learning and action research.
Chapter 3 sets out the research strategy inclusive of the challenges found alternative methods, and scope of this research paper.
When considering my inquiry, qualitative research is the approach usually associated with the constructivist worldview (Creswell, 2014; Mertens, 2015). For my research this will mean recording, analyzing and uncovering the deeper meaning and significance of inclusion in the French immersion context and how this translates into best practices. If I examine the purpose of action research as described by Hendricks (2013) as “for practitioners to investigate and improve their practice” (p.3) then my research could also fit into this approach. I have chosen not to involve participants other than myself and will conduct an independent study using data from existing studies and I may also choose to include personal reflections on my own practice. This would allow a thorough investigation of my topic and allow me to present, analyze and discuss information and existing ideas in the both the qualitative and quantitative literature from the patterns that emerge.
Werkman.R and Boonstra J, ‘Action research as a method for improving the effectivity of change processes and stimulating learning in organizations’, retrieved 31 December 2015