Action Research

History

Action research has its roots in the work of Kurt Lewin (1935/1959) and the subsequent discourse in sociology, anthropology, education, and organizational theory; it is also based on the development theories of the 1970s, which assume the equality and complementarity of the knowledge, skills, and experience of all partners. As the human rights movement has challenged traditional scientific research models, new models for collaborative research have emerged. These models have various names: action research, participatory action research (PAR), collaborative research, and emancipatory or empowerment or [Page 5]community-based research, with considerable overlap among them. All models share a commitment to effecting positive social change by expanding the traditional research paradigm to include the voices of those most affected by the research; thus, “research subjects” can become active participants in the research process. Most models include an element of capacity building or training that contributes to the empowerment of the community, the appropriateness of the dissemination process, and the sustainability of action research results.

CASE EXAMPLE: THE CANADIAN TUBERCULOSIS PROJECT

The Canadian Tuberculosis (TB) Project was a 3-year project that addressed the sociocultural factors influencing the prevention and treatment of TB among the most affected people: foreign-born and aboriginal populations. Initiated by a nurse at the TB clinic in the province of Alberta, the need for this research was echoed by leaders within the affected groups. Beginning with the establishment of a community advisory committee (CAC), a set of guiding principles was negotiated. This process contributed to team building and the establishment of trust among the various players, including community, government, and academic partners. The CAC then worked with the administrative staff to recruit two representatives from each of the four aboriginal and six foreign-born communities. These 20 community research associates were trained in action research principles, interview techniques, and qualitative data analysis. They conducted interviews within four groups in each of their communities: those with active TB, those on prophylaxis, those who refused prophylaxis, and those with a more distant family history of TB in their country of origin or on aboriginal reserves. The community research associates, the CAC, and the academic staff then analyzed the interview data using both manual and electronic techniques. The multi method and multi-investigator analysis strategy maximized the validity of the data and the research findings.

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