`A complete and well rounded approach to the subject′ - Action Research and Practice `This book, like the first edition, is indispensable reading for students however; the second edition will also be ably support established academics who may be seeking an entry-point for action research in their own organizations′ - Ontario Action Research Network Doing Action Research in Your Own Organization - Second Edition is an essential starting point for any student or researcher about to embark on an action research project in the fields of organization studies, health studies and education studies. David Coghlan and Teresa Brannick offer an easy-to-follow, hands-on guide to every aspect of conducting an action research project in your own organization. Doing Action Research in Your Own Organization is the perfect book for doctoral/Ph.D., MA or MBA students seeking a research topic based around their own work experiences. Revised and updated throughout, the Second Edition - No-nonsense guidance to the basics of doing action research projects - Detailed coverage of both theory and methods in action research - Up-to-date discussions of action learning and the role of the researcher - A focus on the politics and ethics of action research - Help for students and researchers in a wide range of different types of organization - Exercises and help with writing-up your research This book is essential reading for students and established academics alike seeking an entry-point to conducting research in their own organizations.
While I rate this book quite high, I cannot call it entertaining. In truth, I would not have read if I did not have to complete an action research project as part of my masters degree. But, since I had to read it, I tried to approach it with as open mind as possible. Here's what I came up with...
From a purely technical and grammatical standpoint, the book is well written, easy to read, and goes as far as it can go to making the topic interesting. I particularly like that it doesn't try to say too much. By this I mean that the authors keep the book succinct and present the important information - if it's in this book, it's worth remembering. Further, the use of bullet lists, boxes, etc. keep the pace up while reading. It doesn't bore the reader as many textbooks do.
The book presents common sense advice. We could all have probably written it based on our own intuition. But with a tool like this, we can document why our intuition is appropriate and we can explain some of the more abstract, conceptual exclusions we may make in an action research project.
My kudos to you if you are willing to undertake an action research project on your own (I may do a modified form of it at work, but not for pleasure!). If you do and you'd like a good, solid resource that will guide you through some of the uncertainty you are likely to face, then this book is for you.
Kurt Lewin is often known as the originator of Action Research. The approach developed exponentially with time and the more you know about the concept the more you become aware of the importance of actively observing and reflecting on your surrounding. This book, brings in another aspect of action research: how do you implement it on your own organization where you are an active figure in its day-today operations?
A useful guide to the theory and practical aspect of action research.
It gave me the framework of my MBA dissertation, so my sense of relief and gratitude is doubtless a bias. A great overview (and source of quotations) for research that takes a situated approach.