Introduction to Action Research: Social Research for Social Change

by Davydd J. Greenwood, Morten Levin

The Second Edition of Introduction to Action Social Research for Social Change makes social science matter! It focuses on how it is possible to combine practical problem solving with generating new theoretical insights. Authors Davydd J. Greenwood and Morten Levin combine a thorough discussion of the epistemological foundations of action research with a broad overview of major contemporary trends in the field.

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 1998

Reviews

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I mainly skimmed this book I only read the parts on pragmatism closely, finals and what not. But it is actually a really cool book. It is about integrating research, action and participation to create a more democratic society. The book defines democratic as having places to deliberate on issues, although that is Dewey's word not theirs. The book also has a solid discussion of Dewey's philosophy as a continuous process for social betterment as opposed to the idealistic theories that expect an end where everything is candy canes and rainbows.

This book isn't something that I would expect to like but after finals I might go back and read it more carefully.

[Renaldas Kulikauskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nuostabi knyga apie tai, kaip kurti vertę socialiniuose moksluose per bendrą veikimą, o ne per dalyvavimą permyžimo* lenktynėse.

* Permyžimas – poreikis perpavadinti, perrpasakoti savaip arba priskirti autorystę sau. Terminas kildinamas iš tautosakos, apibūdinančios juo šuns poreikį permyžti kito šuns arba žmogaus šlapimu pažymėtą vietą. Sietina su konkurencija, sąlygojama per pastaruosius 100 metų nuo 100 tūkstančių iki 5 mln. mokslo pasaulyje veikiančių mokslininkų armijos padidėjimu, katalizuojama dar ir moterų įsiliejimu, balsavimo teisę, tuo pačiu ir galimybes „įsibrauti“ į iki tol uždarus mokslo vyrų klubus, JAV ir daugelyje pažangiausių Europos šalių įgijusių tik prieš tuos pačius 100 metų.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a textbook for an Action Research course I took and this book was helpful in getting a started. This is a good book to cite from graduate students looking at action research. The practice is broad and many iterations are being developed, so it's helpful to have stable summaries of the foundational concepts to reference.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

These authors are extremely biased against traditional research, and they are fine with that. As someone who doesn't really care that much about research, and is only reading this book because it's the text for a mandatory class, I found this book to be rather boring. In fact, the only good parts were when the authors talked trash about traditional researchers and their methods. Which actually happened a lot in this book. Anyway, for people interested in conducting their own action research this book would likely be a useful general guide. For people needing to read this book for a class I strongly suggest saving your money by getting it from your library or through interlibrary loan.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

engaged + thoughtful = constructive

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for LIS590DRM: Doctoral Research Methods