Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T15:58:43.187Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Bringing Research to Life Through Action Research Methods*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Jean A. King
Jean A. King
Affiliation:
University of Minnesota
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The intuitive notion of action research — planning with individuals to try something out, studying what happens when the change is implemented, making appropriate revisions, and then trying it again — appeals to researchers interested in using the practical knowledge of the people they study, simultaneously allowing them to develop strong personal connections. This paper provides an overview of action research methods and their potential use in applied social research on aging and the elderly. The first section defines terms and gives examples of action research. The second section reviews work in this field, and the final section presents four questions for gerontologists to consider.

Résumé

La notion intuitive de la recherche action (planifier des actions avec des personnes en étudier les résultats une fois les changements apportés, réviser le tout puis essayer de nouveau) intéresse les chercheurs désirant utiliser des connaissances pratiques chez les personnes qu'ils étudient, ce qui leur permet dans un même temps d'établir de solides liens personnels. Cet article résume les méthodes de recherche action ainsi que les possibilités qu'elles offrent en matière de recherche sociale appliquée sur le vieillissement et les personnes âgées. La première section fournit des définitions de termes et des exemples de la recherche action. La deuxième passe en revue le travail effectué dans ce domaine et la dernière soumet quatre questions aux gérontologues.

Keywords

Action Research.Recherche action.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 14 , Issue S1 , Été/Summer 1995 , pp. 165 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Brown, L.D., & Tandon, R. (1983). Ideology and political economy in inquiry: Action research and participatory research. Journal of Applied Behavioral Scientists, 19(3), 277–294.Google Scholar
Chappell, N.L. (1995). Gerontological Research in the '90s: Strengths, Weaknesses and Contributions to Policy. Canadian Journal on Aging, 14(suppl. 1), 23–36.Google Scholar
Corey, S. (1953). Action research to improve school practices. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University.Google Scholar
Fals Borda, O. (1985). Knowledge and people's power: Lessons with peasants in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Colombia. New Delhi: Indian Social Institute.Google Scholar
Grundy, S.J. (1982). Three modes of action research. Curriculum Perspectives, 2(3), 23–34.Google Scholar
Hodgkinson, H.L. (1957). Action research — A critique. The Journal of Educational Sociology, 31(4), 137–153.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holly, P. (March, 1992). Action research workshop materials. Chaska, MN.Google Scholar
Hult, M., & Lennung, S.A. (1980). Toward a definition of action research: A note and bibliography. The Journal of Management Studies, 17(2), 241–250.Google Scholar
King, J.A., & Lonnquist, M.P. (1994). The future of collaborative action research: Promises, problems, and prospects. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota.Google Scholar
King, J.A., & Lonnquist, M.P. (In press). Action research: History and background. In Watt, D. & Watt, M. (Eds.), The role of action research in the reform of science and mathematics education. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.Google Scholar
King, J.A., & Stewart, D. (November, 1993). Action research as empowerment: A two year reflective study. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Evaluation Association, Dallas, Texas.Google Scholar
Lewin, K. (1946). Action research and minority problems. Journal of Social Issues, 2(4), 34–46.Google Scholar
McTaggart, R. (1991). Action research: A short modern history. Geelong, Victoria, Australia: Deakin University.Google Scholar
Noffke, S.E. (1990). Action research: A multidimensional analysis. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Wisconsin, Madison.Google Scholar
Nunberg, M., & King, J.A. (1994). The Special Education Evaluation Project: Final Report. Minneapolis, MN: Patrick Henry High School.Google Scholar
Orton, R. & King, J.A. (April, 1994). Using action research to implement the NCTM Standards. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.Google Scholar
Whyte, W.F., Greenwood, D., & Lazes, P. (1989). Participatory action research: Through practice to science in social research. American Behavioral Scientist, 32(5), 513–552.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whyte, W.F. (Ed.). (1991). Participatory action research. London: Sage.Google Scholar