Action-Research and the Multiplicity of Theoretical Orientations and Methodological Applications

Bacal Roij, Azril

Action Research is a research orientation and methodology used when the purpose is to induce changes, including technical and social innovations. It is different from the previous approach known as research & development in various ways, like being less vertical and business oriented. From the almost experimental method of the Lewinian social dynamic matrix of constructed science, to the participatory action-research approach to methodology, co-research and knowledge democracy. The common aspect is doing research with and for people - and not on people. Participation is a key aspect of knowledge geared towards change. Since Action-Research takes place with people, it has proven over time to be a good tool for diminishing socio-economic, political and educational gaps, and thereby promote the emancipation of social minorities in unequal societies. In this sense, Action-Research is well situated for consciousness-raising, and thereby enhancing people's empowerment and social action, at the individual, organizational and community levels of social reality.

This session calls for contributions that address the theoretical, methodological and empirical aspects of Action-Research in different fields of application (e.g. education, training, education, social, health, political, agricultural extension and rural development, cultural warfare, peace-conflict and post-conflict reconciliation, climate negationism, the erosion of democracy, sustainable development). Priority will be given to contributions to: research tools (qualitative and quantitative) in the frame of the Action-Research; roles of researcher and participants as co-researchers; engagement for the Common Good; generative features; evaluation phase; unanticipated effects of Action-Research; language and style of Action-Research; Action-Research, organizational development, peoples and citizens' empowerment.

Session Organizers:

Michela FREDDANO, National Institute for the Educational Evaluation of Instruction and Training (INVALSI), Italy and Azril BACAL ROIJ, Uppsala University, Sweden

Oral Presentations

Public Sociology and the Collective Co-Production of Knowledge with Roma/Ciganos
Manuela MENDES, ISCSP, Universidade de Lisboa & CIES-Iscte, Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal; Inês BARBOSA, ISUP, Portugal

Navigating Gendered and Structural Barriers to Aspirations through Feminist Action-Research: Experiences of Youth in Kalyanpuri, New Delhi
Mubashira ZAIDI ZAIDI, India; Camellia REJA, Institute of Social Studies Trust, India

Participatory Action Research and the Research Forum. Conceptual Considerations and Practical Challenges
Stefan THOMAS, University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, Germany

Inclusive School Development with Signed and Spoken Languages - an Action Research Study on Joint Education with Deaf/Hearing Students in Morocco
Fabienne SCHWARTZ, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany; Fatima AIT HSSAINE, Campus Vivant´e, Morocco; Mohamed AZIZI, Campus Vivant´e, Morocco

Participatory Action Research for Community Regeneration in Mediterranean Sociocultural-Ecological Systems. Insights from Living Labs Experience in Sardinia
Romina DERIU, Department of History, Human Sciences and Education - University of Sassari, Italy; Giampiero BRANCA, Italy; Chiara CESERACCIU, Desertification Research Centre (NRD) - Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy; Pier Paolo ROGGERO, Desertification Research Centre (NRD) and Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy

See more of: RC10 Participation, Organizational Democracy and Self-Management
See more of: Research Committees

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