Overview
Action research differs fundamentally from conventional research in its purpose: it is designed to produce change in the situation being studied, not merely to describe or explain it. This purpose changes the validity criteria, the relationship between researcher and participants, and the knowledge claims the research can make. Action research knowledge is first and foremost local and practical — it tells practitioners in this specific context what works for these specific people facing these specific challenges. Theoretical knowledge emerges from, but is secondary to, the practical improvement goal.
The Action Research Methodology Framework designs the collaborative inquiry structure, the iterative cycle design, and the knowledge generation process that produces both local practice improvement and transferable insights.