Action Research for Supervisors

 

‘Action research is a form of collective self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in social situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own social or educational practices, as well as their understanding of these practices and the situations in which these practices are carried out’ (Kemmis and McTaggart, 1988).

 

Action Research is a widely adopted developmental methodology centred on investigating social practices. It was originally developed in the 1940’s by Lewin and subsequently refined, most notably in the critical theoretical work of Carr and Kemmis (1986). Action research had two fundamental objectives: firstly, the improvement of social practices and the involvement of participants in the underpinning research and secondly, the enacting its outcomes.

 

An action research approach moves through progressive stages of observation, planning, action and reflection, as illustrated below.

 

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

For further guidance on how to conduct Action Research, you can click on this link to access an excellent Action Research Guide published by the Alberta Teachers’ Association

​