Assessing Quality of Action Research Using the Quality Assessment Action Research Checklist (QuARC): A Hybrid...

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Action Research Methodology

Background:

• Quality appraisal of action research is crucial for evidence-based practice.
• Existing methods for assessing action research quality may lack standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quality of action research studies using the Quality Assessment Action Research Checklist (QuARC).
• To assess the utility of QuARC as a tool for quality appraisal in health sciences.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid systematic narrative review was conducted, adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Scopus database was searched for health science action research studies published between January 2020 and March 2024.
• Thirty-two studies were independently selected and scored using QuARC's 17 items across four domains.

Main Results:

• Reporting frequencies varied across QuARC domains: Context (92.5%), Quality of Relationships (55%), Quality of Action Research Process (62.5%), and Quality of Outcomes (62.5%).
• Significant reporting gaps were identified in reflexive co-analysis, relational evaluation, and explicit theoretical contribution.
• Action research studies tended to prioritize practical change over theoretical articulation and reflexive relational work.

Conclusions:

• Global reporting of rigor and quality in action research remains inconsistent.
• QuARC demonstrated utility as both an appraisal instrument and an analytic lens.
• Standardized and validated quality appraisal tools like QuARC are needed to enhance consistency, clarity, and comparability in action research.