WEEK 4

1. AR, DIVERSITY AND DEMOCRACY

AR: collaborative problem analysis and problem solving in context. AR democratizes research
process through the inclusion of the local stakeholders.

Action Research Defined.

Broad participation in the research process. Together, professional researchers and

stakeholders define the problems to be examined, cogenerate relevant knowledge about them,
learn and execute social research techniques, take actions and interpret the results of actions
based on what they have learned. Accumulate, organize, and use complex knowledge
continuously in everyday life.

First step: define the problem democratically.

AR are particularly interested in the validity of the generated knowledge.

Why general overviews of AR are Hard to Find.

1. Because Action Researchers are spread in different disciplines and institutions.

2. Because there is not a department of AR, most of the time people from different
disciplines read different journals and write in ignorance og relevant contributions in AR
from other fields.

Action Research, applied research and qualitative versus quantitative research.

AR refers to the conjunction of three elements: action, research and participation. It is a

strategy that generate knowledge claims for the express purpose of taking action to promote
social analysis and democratic social change.

AR rejects the idea that thought and action are separated. The theoretical/ applied pseudo-split
has been the mechanism by which social science has become deformed.

AR believe that action is the only way to generate and test new knowledge. Also reject the idea
that AR must be qualitative and cannot be quantitative because of the assumption that action-
research is not scientific.

Action Research and Participation

Balance of three elements. If there is one missing, then is not AR.

1. Action: we try to define more liberated and sustainable state. Democratic reformers
rather than revolutionaries.
 2. Research: power and value of knowledge.
3. Participation: Democracy and control over ones own life situations. Everyone take some
responsibility.

Action Research, the disciplines, the coverage.

Our Take on AR: Pragmatic Action Research

6. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES, WORK FORMS, AND RESEARCH STRATEGIES IN

ACTION RESEARCH.

TRADITIONAL ACTION RESEARCH

Techniques: radical separation between the
researcher and the subject of the research.
Work Forms: researchers take all the
decisions.
Research Strategies: There is no obligation in
share the results of the studies with the
subjects.
Techniques: all social science are applicable
as long as they share participative and
democratic knowledge construction.
Work form: Cogenerative construction of
learning areas. Work forms for the
construction of learning arenas. There is a
dialectical process between change and
reflection based on social science
methodology.
Research strategy: Mutuality, as a core
democratic value of AR, specifically gives
voice to participants.

Cogenerative Model:

2 analytically distinct phases:

1. Clarification of an initial research question
2. Initiation and continuation of social change and meaning construction process.

2 groups of actors:
1. Inside group: they own the problem.
2. Professional researchers: facilitate the colearning process.

PROBLEM DEFFINITION: Mutual learning process between insiders and outsiders. New
understanding of the problem
COMUNICATION ARENA: Reunion in material setting to carrying on AR. Design adequate arenas
for communication about the problems of major importance to the local participants.
Asymmetry in skills and knowledge is expected (from both sides). The professional researcher
must be honest about power when dealing with the community. Then balance in power could
be achieved through education. Sustainability is also important: the process should be taken
over by local participants.

FEEDBACK: cycling to develop new dialogues and/or redefining initial problems.

CREATING ARENAS: