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Action Research
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Action Research
Living Theory



April 2006 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
In Action Research: Living Theory, authors Jean McNiff and Jack Whitehead set out their vision of what action research should be and can be in the 21st Century.

This brilliantly-written, passionate, and compelling book, defines the philosophy behind action research and the process of doing action research for all those interested in this fast growing area. It establishes the foundations of action research as a discipline, and roots action research as a compassionate, ethical, and politically-engaged form of inquiry.

This book will be essential reading for all those with an interest in Action Research.

 
PART ONE: BACKGROUNDS AND CONTEXTS
 
Background to Our Research: Reasons and Purposes
What Are Our Concerns?

 
 
Contexts of Our Research
Why Are We Concerned?

 
 
Looking for Data
What Experiences Can We Describe to Show Why We Are Concerned?

 
 
PART TWO: GATHERING DATA AND GENERATING EVIDENCE
 
Monitoring Practice and Gathering Data
What Kind of Data Will We Gather to Show the Situation as It Unfolds

 
 
Interpreting Data and Generating Evidence in Relation to Living Critical Standards of Judgement
How Do We Explain Our Educational Influences in Learning?

 
 
PART THREE: ESTABLISHING VALIDITY AND LEGITIMACY
 
Validity, Legitimacy and Moral Authority
How Do We Show that Any Conclusions We Come To Are Reasonably Fair and Accurate?

 
 
The Potential Significance of Our Research
How Do We Show the Potential Significance of Our Research?

 
 
PART FOUR: IMPLICATIONS, EVALUATIONS AND DISSEMINATION
 
Case Studies
How Do We Show the Implications of Our Research?

 
 
Evaluating the Account of Our Research
How Do We Evaluate the Evidence-Based Account of Our Learning?

 
 
PART FIVE: TESTING OUR CLAIMS TO EDUCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE
 
Into New Research
How Do We Modify Our Concerns, Ideas and Practices in the Light of Our Evaluations?

 

This is an excellent guide to those professional doctorate candidates who are dealing with qualitative research. Remarkably approachable and lucid text.

Dr Mehmet Ali Dikerdem
Interdiscipline , Middlesex University
November 5, 2012

Excellent text. Very useful discussion on role of the researcher.

Miss Tracey Barnfather
Midwifery Division, Northampton University
October 22, 2012

An excellent resource to have available especially in QCF qualifications where research and evidence based practice is such an important theme.

Mrs Louise Henry
Health and Social Care, nwrc
October 10, 2012

This may be seen as an intro book. One of its main strengths are the case studies/examples that the authors refer to thereby providing useful perspectives that readers may relate to.

Dr Chahid Fourali
London Metropolitan Business School, London Metropolitan Uni (City Campus)
August 17, 2012
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Sample Materials & Chapters

Pdf file of chapter 1

Pdf file of chapter 2


This title is also available on SAGE Research Methods, the ultimate digital methods library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.