The concept of action research

Abstract

Action research has been recognised for its breadth as a field of research practice and its depth as a discourse of theoretical insight. It does not have one neat, widely accepted definition. Points to some reasons for the difficulty of formulating a generally accepted definition of action research, and argues why action research should not be confined but should be both clarified for communication and open for development. The discussion stems from a working definition developed with participants in an international symposium that serves as a classic definition of action research. Presents several alternative approaches to resolution and argues for a judicious mix of pragmatism and flexibility in approaching the definition issue.

Citation

Altrichter, H., Kemmis, S., McTaggart, R. and Zuber‐Skerritt, O. (2002), "The concept of action research", The Learning Organization, Vol. 9 No. 3, pp. 125-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/09696470210428840