Action Research

Daniel - IntroMorten René - AboutLars - Conclusion

Action Research - Introduction System suited for Information Systems

research Merges research and praxis thus producing

exceedingly relevant research findings. Not popular (in North American IS research)

despite it’s overwhelming acceptance in organizational development. Most popular in Northern Europe, England and Australia.

Action Research - Introduction Involves the close collaboration of both

researchers and practitioners Interests in Action Research ( and other

research methods such as grounded theory and deconstruction) grew inside Information Systems research because of some inadequecy in IS research before. Such inadequecy were;

Lack in task and vadility in IS research IS survey research suffered from poor instruments

and lack of control General lack of statistical power in IS research

Action Research - Introduction The need for it also came from the

growing concerns of scientists in IS with the social and psychological aspects of the introduction of technology into human work place, rather than concentrating only on the technical aspects.

Development of the method started after the 2nd world war firstly by Kurt Lewin.

Blum (1955) 2 stage process

Diagnostic stage Involves a collaborative analysis of

the social situation by the researcher and the subject of the research

Therapeutic stage Involves collaborative analysis of the

social situation concerning the nature of the research domain

Susman & Evered, 1978

Cyclical 5 phase process ”Ideal” formulation of action research

Requires the establishment of client-system infrastructure

Five identifiable phases are iterated Practitioner as part of a set of actors

Oriented to solution of practical problems

The Action Research Cycle

ActionActionplanningplanning

EvaluatingEvaluating

DiagnosingDiagnosing

SpecifyingSpecifyinglearninglearning

ActionActiontakingtaking

Client-Client-systemsystem

infrastructureinfrastructure

1.1. DiagnosingDiagnosing

2.2. Action Action planningplanning

3.3. Action takingAction taking

4.4. EvaluatingEvaluating

5.5. Specifying Specifying learninglearning

Action Research

Attempts to link Theory and practice Thinking and doing Practical and research objectives

Dealing with reality is more desirable than a representation of reality

Domain of ideal use Understanding of complex human

process (rather than a universal truth) Communication in ”Kitchen Stories”?

Checkland: Cycle of continuous inquiry:

theory interacts with practice If research is most focused on the

techniques, then tautological…

Questions & Answers A Critical Perspective on Action Research as A Critical Perspective on Action Research as

a Method for Information Systems Researcha Method for Information Systems Research - R.L. Baskerville & A.T. Wood-Harper- R.L. Baskerville & A.T. Wood-Harper