SIG: Action Research
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The Action Research Special Integration Group was launched...
Focus of the Action Research SIG
The focus of the Action Research SIG at the ISSS was defined to be the application of action research approaches to Systems Sciences where Action Research is defined as a participatory, democratic process concerned with developing practical knowing in the pursuit of worthwhile human purposes, grounded in a participatory worldview which we believe is emerging at this historical moment. It seeks to bring together action and reflection, theory and practice, in participation with others, in the pursuit of practical solutions of pressing concern to people and more generally the flourishing of individual persons and their communities. (Reason and Bradbury 2008, p. 4).
The SIG also focuses on the coherence of AR and other SIGs in the ISSS. The last focus was on the Critical Social Theory perspective that some action researchers share with Critical Systems Thinking.
Chairs, Members and Reading Materials
The founder of the
Members
Reading Materials
Below are reading lists of seminal papers in AR as well as the latest publications in the field of AR from a systems thinking perspective:
- Baskerville, R. L. and A. T. Wood-Harper (1996). "A critical perspective on action research as a method for information systems research." Journal of information Technology 11(3): 235-246.
- Checkland, P. and S. Holwell (1998). "Action research: its nature and validity." Systemic Practice and Action Research 11(1): 9-21.
- Greenwood, D. J. & Levin, M., Introduction to action research: social research for social change, Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, 1998.
- Henshaw, J. L. (2019). "Systems thinking for systems making: Joining systems of thought and action." Systemic Practice and Action Research, 32(1), 63-91.
- Lewin, K. (1947). "Frontiers in group dynamics II. Channels of group life; social planning and action research." Human relations 1(2): 143-153.
- Susman, G. I. and R. D. Evered (1978). "An assessment of the scientific merits of action research." Administrative science quarterly: 582-603.
Tutorials
You may visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2098246547169563 for tutorials on action research.
Publication Opportunities
Action Research can be published in numerous journals:
Systemic Practice and Action Research
Educational Action Research
Systemic International Journal of Action Research
Action Research (SAGE)
Action Research (SAGE)
Links to videos
Below are links to videos from discussion sessions attended by ISSS members discussing their use of AR.