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Action research, change and methodological rigour
1School of Nursing Studies, University of Central England, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Journal of Nursing Management
|April 20, 2001
Summary
Methodological rigor in action research, while important, can hinder its effectiveness in driving practical change. This approach may benefit individual development but faces limitations in managing broader organizational transformation.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Research
- Healthcare Management
- Organizational Change
Background:
- Action research is a problem-focused approach appealing to nursing managers.
- It is recognized as a continuum of definitions and philosophies, not a singular method.
- The pursuit of a strict definition may overshadow the core process of change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine methodological rigor in action research.
- To assess how rigor impacts action research's capacity to facilitate change.
- To explore the implications for nursing practice and management.
Main Methods:
- Critical examination of action research concepts.
- Exploration of reliability and validity issues.
- Discussion of ethical considerations and practical examples in nursing.
Main Results:
- Concern for methodological rigor may impede practice improvement.
- Ethical tensions can arise between researchers, managers, and practitioners.
- Action research's effectiveness as a change management strategy is limited by research demands.
Conclusions:
- Action research can support individual practitioner development.
- It can foster collaboration between academia and practice.
- Demands for methodological rigor restrict its utility in managing change effectively.