Research in OrganizationsFrom Action Research to Action Learning

Presented by:John R. TurnerGloria Natividad

The University of North TexasCollege of InformationDept. of Learning Technologieswww.lt.unt.edu

Action Research

“Knowledge is in the action”

(Schon, as cited in Bradbury & Lichenstein, 2000)

Action Research

Action Research

ACTION LEARNING

DEEP LEARNING

&

REAL ACTION

Action Learning

Beneficial to the organization by resolving real issues as well as providing a means for training groups to learn together and solve real-time problems.

Action Learning

Action Learning –vs- Training

Action Learning

Training

Trainer / Facilitator YES YES

Loss Time from Work NO YES

Travel Expenses NO YES

Solve Real-Problem YES NO

Train Group Together YES YES

Action Learning is a Process

Learning comes from action through:

“participatory, action-oriented methods that link researchers and participants in a learning journey that supports both in making good use of the insights gained from research”

(Bradbury & Lichtenstein, 2000, p. 554)

References Bargal, D. (2008). Action research: A paradigm for achieving social change. Small Group

Research, 39(17), 17-27. doi: 10.1177/1046496407313407

Bargal, D. (2006). Personal and intellectual influences leading to Lewin's paradigm of

action research. Action Research, 4(4), 367-388. doi: 10.1177/1476750306070101

Bradbury, H., & Lichtenstein, B. M. B. (2000). Relationality in organizational research:

Exploring the space between. Organization Science, 11(5), 551-564. Retrieved from

orgsci.journal.informs.org

Bryman, A. (2008). Social Research Methods (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University

Press.

Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2010). Applying Educational Research (6th ed.).

Boston, MA: Pearson.

Gorrell, P (2012). Action learning for teams. Chief Learning Officer, July, 26-29.

Marquardt, M., & Banks, S. (2010). Theory to practice: Action learning. Advances in

Developing Human Resources, 12(2), 159-162. doi: 10.1177/1523422310367878

Waddill, D., Banks, S., & March, C. (2010). The future of action learning. Advances in

Developing Human Resources, 12(2), 260-279. doi: 10.1177/1523422310367809