Exploring the Dynamics of Action Research and Alternatives to the Reconnaissance Model

Abstract

The origin of action research is generally credited to Kurt Lewin, who sometimes, is referred to as the Father of Action Research (Andronic, n.d.). It is said that he resolved the social conflicts and field theory in social science by focusing on three key questions:  i.e. What is the present situation? What are the dangers? What shall we do (Lewin, 1946, p. 34)?

The punch-laden statement, “no research without action, and no action without research” (Lewin, 1946) summed up the affiliation between theory (research) and practice (action), particularly in the field of social science. Put simply, Lewin constructed a theory of action research, which described action research as “proceeding in a spiral of steps, each of which is composed of planning, action and the evaluation of the result of action” (Kemmis & McTaggert, 1990, p.8). By doing so, Lewin argued that to “understand and change certain social practices, social scientists have to include practitioners from the real social world in all phases of inquiry” (McKernan, 1991, p. 10).