General

In short, action research is about solving a real-world problem. The problem can be practically or theoretically oriented. Action Research consists of three steps: analysis, action, and evaluation . For clarification purposes, I separate the step of evaluation into evaluation and process modification. Figure 1 demonstrates the approach of action research, which consists of a cycle.

Aktion Research
Figure 1: Action Research Cycle, Source: Based on 

Goal

The goal of action research is to facilitate change and improvement in an organization, community, or other social context by actively participating in the design of solutions. Action research views concerns and challenges as shared issues and seeks participatory approaches to address them.

Thus, the goal of action research is to bring about positive change through the active participation of stakeholders in researching and solving difficulties. This involves creating knowledge and understanding of the contexts under study and developing and implementing practical solutions.

Action research is particularly useful in solving social problems that are influenced by complex internal and external factors. By involving all stakeholders in research and solution finding, a broader and deeper perspective can be gained, which can lead to a better solution.

 


Core Literature

  • [1] Wilde, T. und Hess, T. (2007). "Forschungsmethoden der Wirtschaftsinformatik." Wirtschaftsinformatik 49(4): 280-287.
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.