The experience of action research in practice

The process of action research is explored within a surgical ward of a public hospital. The process was conducted with the staff of the ward in the spirit of participation. The principles of action research and the action research spiral underpinned the process. The methodology utilised group meetings, individual interviews and questionnaires. Observations were recorded through journaling. Three major concerns were identified by the nurses and one, the admission process, is followed through the action research spiral showing the changes that occurred to practice. By the end of the study the nurses were able to recognise inconsistencies between what they said and what they did and recognised their ability to bring about change to practice.