Question

Define action research and identify which group dynamics theorist argued in favor of it.

Answer 1

Kurt Lewin's ‘action research’ methodology is related to T-groups. Introduced in the 1940s, it was considered an essential invention in research methodologies & was specially utilized in education & industry. It incorporates experimenting thru making changes & at the same time studying the outcomes, in a cyclic procedure of planning, action & fact-collecting. Lewin's method stressed the power relation amongst the researcher & those researched, & he wanted to engage the latter, fostering their participation in examining the impacts of their own acts, identifying their own biases, & functioning to transform relations in their commune / organisation.

Action research focuses on the engagement of participants from the commune under research & on the tracking down of distinct but simultaneous procedures of action & assessment. Different variants of this method have evolved & its soundness as a scientific research methodology is questioned from time to time. Its strengths, though, in offering groups an self-evaluative ,collaborative, involving, & decision-making role, are generally acknowledged.