What is action research in a doctoral program?
Action research refers to a “research paradigm” designed to help the researcher “develop knowledge or understanding as part of practice,” according to Professor Bob Dick of Southern Cross University in Australia. In a doctoral program, it may be employed as a means of inquiry by students or instructors, potentially in association with a dissertation.FunctionAs Professor Dick notes, action research is used by researchers looking to spur social change as a result of their work. Simultaneously, the researcher hopes to develop an understanding that “informs this change.”ApplicationAction research is often used in pilot studies or ahead of other research approaches. Activists, notes Professor Dick, use action research as a way to incorporate subjects as co-researchers.CriticismProfessor Dick points out that action research is criticized because it is not generalizable. That is, it only offers insight into a specific setting, which cannot be readily applied to other situations.Realistic View
