ACTION RESEARCH IN TRAINING

Submitted By:
Apurva Singh Arnisha Bahl Divya Gupta Divya Kharbanda

ACTION RESEARCH
Concept originated in the need for improving human relations.

It defined in terms of the relationship of research with field practices.

Lewin & his associates had a great impact on research methodology in the field of human relations.

Action research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice, systematically & carefully, using the technologies of research.

It is conducted by people who want to do something to improve their own situations.

Concerned with changing situations, not just interpreting

RESEARCH Vs ACTION RESEARCH

RESEARCH

ACTION RESEARCH

Goes beyond the solutions of the practical problems. Insistence on controlled experimentation. Leading to broader generalizations. The setting of scientific experimentation against an existing

Only concerned with the solution of practical problems. Doest involve much of control. No validity outside a small system or a situation. Doest have a chance to create a theoretical system.

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1)

CHARACTERISTICS OF ACTION RESEARCH

Naturalistic & often uses participant observation techniques to study a phenomenon. Collective process, with the individuals who are responsible for action conduct the research. It is a process in 2 different ways: sequence of events & activities within each iteration(data collection, feedback & taking action based on the data) & cycle of iterations of these activities, sometimes

2)

3)

PURPOSE OF ACTION RESEARCH

1) 2)

3)

4)

Contribute to the theory & knowledge base to enhance practice. Supports the professional developments of practitioners. Helps practitioners identifying problems & seek solutions systematically. Can be used at all levels & in all areas of education.

ADVANTAGES OF ACTION RESEARCH

1) 2) 3)

Empowerment of all participants. Use of reflection to generate models. Bridging the gap between theory, research & practice.

THREE DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF ACTION RESEARCH

High
Concern for research High

Concern for action

Low Concern for people

High

RESEARCH:- It is the main basis to make action more scientific. Concern for research should cover the concern both the research process ,technology & the theoretical framework. Researcher should try to make the process of research scientific & innovative. ACTION:- Concern for action is the core of action research. This concern is reflected in the involvement of the researcher in action itself as well as the involvement of the community of the client system in the process of research. On one extreme researcher play a very passive role as an observer conducting action research but on the other extreme he may take an active part in bringing about change or play activist role.

PEOPLE:- Concern for people is equally important. Action research not only tries to solve a problem by using scientific methods but its success lies in building the necessary skills amongst people concerned with problems so that they may also be able to solve their own problems later.
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PROCESS OF ACTION RESEARCH/ DETAILED ACTION RESEARCH MODEL

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IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING OF ACTION RESEARCHERS

Action research is both science & art. It requires an understanding of various theories, strategies & processes. The following three dimensions may be important for the training of action research workers:1) Training in ideology & historical process. 2) Research Methodology.

THE THREE DIMENTIONS

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Training in ideology & historical process:The action research worker should clearly understand the historical process which led to a particular state of affairs , so that he can appreciate it in a context rather than trying to understand it in isolation. Ideology provides such a context. There can be no substitute for such rigorous training for the action researcher to develop some meaningful understanding of the social processes.

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Research Methodology:- A minimum knowledge of the research process & research methodology may be helpful in collecting relevant & valid data & analyzing interpreting & drawing meaningful conclusions from the data. Training in research methodology should emphasize much more innovative & creative aspects of research rather than the traditional , mechanical methodology. Process Work:- Skills of analyzing the dynamics of individuals & group working together for common goals. Processes are important not only for small groups but also for larger groups like communities. For example- Indian Society for Applied Behavioral Science, which is devoted primarily to training in process work.

PRINCIPLES OF ACTION RESEARCH

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Reflexive critique Dialectical critique Collaborative resource Risk Plural structure Theory, practice, transformation

WHEN IS ACTION RESEARCH IS USED???

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In real situations rather than in contrived, experimental studies, its primary focus is on solving real problems. Used by social scientists for preliminary research especially when the situation is too ambiguous to frame a precise research question. When circumstances require flexibility. Used by practitioners for improving understanding of their practice. Used by academics , invited in an organization by decision makers aware of a problem requiring action research but lacking the requisite methodology knowledge to deal with it.

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CURRENT TYPES OF ACTION RESEARCH & ACTION RESEARCH TOOLS

Traditional action research Contextural action research(Action Learning) Radical action research Educational action research TOOLS:a. Research journal b. Document collection & analysis c. Participant observation recording d. Questionnaire survey e. Structured & unstructured interviews f. Case studies

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ROLE OF ACTION RESEARCHER

Planner leader Catalyzer Teacher Listener Synthesizer Facilitator Designer Observer Reporter

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Action research and training for health (ARTH)

Private, nonprofit, R&T organization; established by a group of professionals in 1997. AIM-to contribute to the improvement of health status among underprivileged communities in India. Focuses on health needs of marginalized rural and urban slum inhabitants as well as vulnerable groups like women, migrants, and unorganized labour. MISSION-to help communities access and manage health care according to their needs

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TRAINING & RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

TRAINING PROGRAMMES includes:

School of Midwifery Practice & Training in primary health care( 2007 onwards). Strengthening govt. efforts to implement the MTP Act in districts of Rajasthan( 2007 onwards). Technical Assistance on Reproductive & Child Health(RCH) initiatives to 8 NGOs of Northern Rajasthan.

CONTINUED..
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RESEARCH PROGRAMMES includes: SAMPOORNA(severe acute malnutrition) 2011-14. NAVJEEVAN- Newborn survival project ( 2009-13). Home Based Management of Young Infants (2002-09).

IFFCO FOUNDATION
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Established as an independent institution in the form of a Trust; registered on Jan 24, 2003 under Indian Trust Act 1882. MISSION & GOAL- To achieve enhanced , inclusive and sustain agrarian livelihood security and prosperity through providing technical assistance and policy advocacy to the national agricultural and rural development system.

TRAINING AND RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

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Cooperative workshops Cooperative member education programme Self help groups and SHG Associations Promotion of agro-micro enterprises Field demonstration programme Horticulture development programme- involves various activities likeEstablishment of small nurseries

CONTINUED
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Rejuvenation of senile/old orchards. Gardeners training Farmers participatory demonstrations Training of staff Entrepreneurship development training programme Pack house development. Brain storming session- on TRIBAL RIGHTS, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, held on 28th july 2010 in New Delhi.

CONCLUSION
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Action research.. Aims to contribute both to the practical concerns of people in an immediate problematic situation & to further the goals of social science simultaneously. Thus there is dual commitment in action research to study a system & concurrently to collaborate with members of the system in changing it in what is together regarded as a desirable direction. Accomplishing this twin goal requires an active collaboration of researcher & client, & thus it stresses the importance of co-learning as a primary aspect of research process.

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