Action Research Method and Other Research Methods Compared - Coursework Example

Action Research Method and Other Research Methods Compared This paper compares and contrasts action research method with other five research methods. Key words: action research, similarities, differences Action Research Method and Other Research Methods Compared Introduction Researchers have developed a number of tools and methods to assist them to carry out research in their respective areas. One of these important tools is the action research method that enables a researcher to examine their own education and profession in a practical and systematic approach with the help of research techniques. It involves investigation people who are empowered professionally to take actions against their own actions with the view of improving future actions. As such, action research method requires an objective approach and a by-stander view to help the researcher develop tools to assist him or her. However, there are other research methodologies that can be compared and contrasted with action research method in a number of aspects. This paper compares and contrasts action research method with five other research methods. Action Research Action research is where researchers examine their own education and profession practically and systematically using techniques of research (Baskerville & Wood-Harper, 2010). Murchison (2010) defines action research as any investigation conducted, by empowered people, to take action against their own actions in order to improve their future actions. Action research is a well-organized self-reflective inquiry conducted with the purpose of understanding and improving teaching in the classroom. The aim of action research is to solve current problems and in the process and expand scientific knowledge. Action research is different from other research methods. It is concerned with studying organizational phenomena to create change and study the process, while other research methods study organizational phenomena but do not change them. Murchison (2010) observed that action research an iterative process that capitalizes on learning by both researchers and subjects within the context of the subject’s social system Some of the features that distinguish action research with other methods of research imply that action research should focus on the researchers professional actions and requires that the researcher is empowered to adjust future actions based on the current results. Further action research allows for future improvement for the current findings (Baskerville & Wood-Harper, 2010). Similarities and Differences between Action Research and Focus Groups Similarities Focuses groups are used mostly in collecting customer feedback about the new products are having been launched on the market. The focused group has several individuals from the target audiences coming together to discuss particular concerns of in business. Focus groups are mostly used in the collection of information from customers on new products in the market. The research method is mostly used in the analysis of cultural studies that require the groups to collect information on a given phenomenon. 1. Action research and focus groups aim at collecting current information through systematic and structured manner 2. In both methods, there is active participation of the researcher in the research process 3. The researchers in the two methods have also an opportunity, to actively participate, in learning by questioning the instruments they are using in the research. 4. In both methods, the end results are not specified in the beginning but rather the researcher get to learn along the way as much as they can discover along the way. 5. Both action research and focus groups can be used to foster radical change in the structural formation in organizations. 6. Action research and focus groups can be used alongside each other, while giving the opportunity for interchange between each other (Baskerville & Wood-Harper, 2010). Differences 1. Action research employees in depth strategies that involve the use of available resources to gain knowledge over a long period of time, while focus groups are narrow in nature and tend to have a shorter period when compared (Case, 2012). 2. Action research is built on the idea that improving the process will result in improving the organization performance, thus it focuses on the available ways to improve the performance. On the other hand, focus group identifies an existing challenge and seeks for better ways of addressing that challenge (Case, 2012). 3. The goal of action research is to improve processes while focus groups aim at providing solutions to the existing challenges (Case, 2012). Similarities and Differences between Action Research and Participant Observation Similarities Participant observation is mostly used in cultural and sociological researches that seek to provide the researcher with an opportunity to participate in the activities to which they are researching about. This method of research is mostly used in the collecting data where there is a large sample of participants. The importance of this method is that it allows the researcher to have an in-depth insight into contexts, relationships, and behaviors of a group of people. It also provides crucial information to researchers in designing, collecting data, and interpreting of data. a) Both research methods do not specify the end objectives at the start and processes which results in finding the real solution to the problem. b) Action research and participant observation gives the researcher freedom to give opinions and make suggestions that can improve the final results of the research (Booth & Segon, 2009). c) Action research and participant observation can all be used in social and organizational research with higher accuracy and involvement as the researcher can actively participate in research with the selected sample d) Both methods empower the researcher in social and anthropological study to get involved with the culture and practice of the group that is being studied (Booth & Segon, 2009). Differences a) Whereas participant observation may arise from an ongoing activity, for instance an occurrence that is ongoing in a given community, action research begins with a need to change the operation and functioning of a system and embarks on a process to discover challenges along the way (Booth & Segon, 2009). b) Participant observation allows researchers to have reflection-in-action during their process of researching. Action research ensures that the researcher remains objective with the structure and format of the researcher to avoid introducing new challenges, which in themselves might require a new research to be undertaken(Booth & Segon, 2009). c) Action research is more intensive and, thus, requires the most personal commitment and involvement of the two research methods. As a result, action research requires a continuous practice as well as growth unlike in participant observation that is short term and less intensive (Booth & Segon, 2009). d) The experiences and knowledge of the researcher is put to use in participative research and outlines the researcher commitment to the research thus giving the team an opportunity to address and solve the problem at hand. Similarities and Differences between Action Research and Questionnaire-Based surveys Differences Questionnaires are some of the most used tools in collecting information in a market set up. The questionnaire based surveys are used in almost all areas of research to collect and analyze data through a number of questions that are posed to the respondent. a) Action research involves the researcher collaborating with the client, while the questionnaire-based surveys involve the researcher posing questions to the respondents. The researcher may only intervene in terms of seeking for clarifications but he cannot influence the replies that the respondent is going to give (Case, 2012). b) Action research results in improved capacity and wisdom while questionnaire-based surveys lead to improvement in analysis and inferential skills (Case, 2012). Similarities a) They are both post-positivism research as the researcher is not aware of the final results of the research (Pedler, 2011). b) In both methods, the 3rd party researcher engages in change as expert making enquiries and deducing the meaning of the replies given as responses for the enquiries (Pedler, 2011). Similarities and Differences between Action Research and Case Studies Similarities a) They two methods are post-positivist in their approach as the researcher does not begin with the knowledge of the final result in mind (Lacono, Brown & Holtham, 2011). b) In action research, the researcher collaborates with “clients” while collecting the information while in case studies; the researcher evaluates the participant on an expert level (Lacono, Brown & Holtham, 2011). c) Both methods allow the use 3rd party researchers engage in change of information as expert analysts (Lacono, Brown & Holtham, 2011). Differences a) Whereas action research uses a subjective approach in the analysis of the study elements, case studies uses objectivity in its approach. b) In action research, the researcher achieves learning, and larger group may also learn within the same context while in case studies, the researcher builds on what is already in existence and therefore seeks to improve on the current situation (Lacono, Brown & Holtham, 2011). c) In action research, the researcher and clients can engage in a self-reflection while in case studies the researcher works with selected participant and, therefore, there is a need for expertise (Lacono, Brown & Holtham, 2011). Comparison and contrast between action research and ethnography Ethnography research involves a long term interaction in the field of study. Ethnography is mostly used in research in a traditional setting and the researcher actively participates in the in the lives of the people under study while remaining analytical and observational. The researcher is also expected to use analysis to describe and interpret the data and information collected. According to Murchison (2010), ethnography and action research can be compared and contrasted in the following way: i. Research in ethnography focuses on the understanding of traditions and cultures of different people whereas action research focuses on bringing about new knowledge by having newer understanding of situations. ii. Action research relies on setting up research in relation to the existing needs of the project to be accomplished while ethnography relies on the continual understanding of the cultural and traditions of a people. iii. The two research methods compliments each other well because they both involve the comprehension of a community of people through interaction and how the community works together with the researchers. iv. Whereas ethnography entails a long-tern engagement with the community under study, action research is be relatively shorter and less intensive in nature. Ethnography involves a clear understanding of each aspect in the cultural setup; action research focuses on particular identifiable features in a community. v. Ethnography involves identification of patterns and linkages in local, with a view if deducing meanings, while action research focuses on the general view of the area of study with the view of deducing meanings. Summary of Differences and Similarities between Action Research and Five Other Methods of Research Action research Ethnography Participant observation Focus groups Questionnaire-Based surveys Case Studies Post-Positivist Post-positivist Post-positivist Post-positivist Post-positivist The process is initiated by the researcher, who link-up with clients to actualize the needed change. In other perspective, the researcher hardly engages in the process. The process involves the interaction between the researcher and the people under study. The researcher is fully engaged in the activities with the respondents The activities undertaken through the action process is included into the actual research. Participants directly engage in change actions—the researcher is the agent of change Structured thus difficult to seek clarification. Questionnaires prepared in advance thus the researcher can influence the kind of information they wish to get Involves comparison of the current situation to come up with ways and methods of addressing the current challenges or problems Researcher as well as the clients initiates self-reflection activities, in which they actively participate. The researcher uses analytical and observational skills to collect information while participating in the activities Participant releases actions, thereby highlighting issues and accompanying actions to be taken, with no involvement of experts. Participant releases actions, thereby highlighting issues and accompanying actions to be taken, with no involvement of experts. Participant issues, actions and learning highlighted / expertise needed to analysis the resulting data Researcher works with select participants—need for expertise Subjective—findings and conclusions depends on the unfolding challenges along the study Ethnography uses an objective approach in that the researcher has no experience in the activities of the group under study Holistic-participant observation uses a holistic approach in collecting data from the participants. Objective—participant are focused on an initial outlined objective Subjective—researcher knows what information they are looking for well in advance Subjective—conclusions depend on the existing knowledge Conclusion The comparisons and contrasts between action research and other research methods do not imply that one method is better than another. In comparing research methods, the main aim is to highlight the relative utility that each method presents to a particular researcher in a given research environment. As such, researchers need to analyze the kind of situation they are going to work in, available time, and the participant to decide on a given method to be used in the research. References Baskerville, R. & Wood-Harper, A.T. (2010). Diversity in information systems action research methods. European Journal of Information Systems, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 90-107 Booth, C., & Segon, M. (2009). Leadership and Management Development: An Action Research Project. International Review of Business Research Papers, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 102-113. Case, D. O. (2012).Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs, and Behaviour, Part 1. Action Research, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 267-292. Lacono, J., Brown, A & Holtham, C. (2011). Research Methods – a Case Example of Participant Observation. Learning, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 1-12. Pedler, M. (2011). Action Learning in Practice. London: Gower Publishing Performance Improvements: An Action Research Approach. Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 267-344. Murchison, J. (2010). Ethnography Essentials: Designing, Conducting, and Presenting Your Research. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. Read More