DESIGN RESEARCH GUIDE

DESIGN RESEARCH GUIDE:

/ACTION/

WHAT?:

The term action research is essentially the process of finding things out by doing things yourself. It is aimed at dealing with real-world problems, typically at work and in organizations. The term has a more narrow definition but in this material it will be used in a more inclusive manner. The idea is that by involving yourself in the process you gain a much richer insight in the problems and reasons of your research area. This method has similarities with observation research but focuses more on testing things and then reflecting on what happened in order to gain insight. This is usually done together in collaboration with your research subjects and/or with other researchers. Some definitions of action research is very close to the design mentality of getting down and dirty in the field with an intent of changing matters to the better.

WHEN?:

You are doing research focused on processes, organization and practices in a team or organization.
You believe that there is not enough secondary data or knowledgeable people to interview
You feel that interviews and questionnaires doesn't present an accurate representation
You see the problem that you are researching as more of a practical issue
You have comparably a lot of tie to do research
Your research subjects are willing to cooperate in the research

HOW?:

When Action Research is applied it consists of a cycle of activities that are repeated (iterative process). The different steps in this process are:

1. Practice; actually doing the work that you are researching and actively taking part.
2. Reflection; stepping back and thinking about the practice. Identify problems, etc.
3. Research; Finding out more about the issues that you found to be important
4. Planning; designing strategies or solutions for your issues or problems
5. Action; Putting your solutions or disruptions into affect and start over.

Those who engage in action research have a deep insight in the way things operate in their particular research situation. They have what you would call "inside-knowledge" which can be a genuine advantage. This can also be and disadvantage since it is sometimes the outsider who is the best suited to identify the important factors. There is the constant risk of becoming so attached to the situation that you are unable to remain impartial and objective.

Sometimes it is not practical to go in to the natural location of your research subject and you might wish to limit your research to an isolated occurrence. In these cases it may be more practical to set your research in a controlled experiment or workshop. The obvious risk is that you factor out some of the natural obstacles or presets of the environment if you attempt to recreate a scenario or occurrence in a studio or laboratory.

METHODS:

Participatory Action Research
To be a part of the activity that you are researching and applying changes while you observe and analyze.

On-sight Experiments
Action research on location but in a controlled setting where the researcher is a part of directing the action. This is done to focus on a particular event or task. The work flow or events may not be entirely natural or common, but the environmental factors are still present to some degree.

Laboratory Experiments
To test or take part in an activity in controlled environment such as a studio or laboratory. This might be a group of participators that are performing a task or a group of researchers who wish to learn from performing the task themselves and not limit themselves to observations alone.

Workshops
Similar to a laboratory experiment but with a lower degree of re-creation. Fewer factors may be present such as tools, props and environmental factors, but the scenarios are the same as they would be in real-life. This is similar to role-playing.

Non participatory teams
similar to a laboratory experiment or workshop but with researchers only as participators. This is a reasonably quick way to gain a "inside" perspective on a project.

Clinics
This method can be used for both observation and interviews. In terms of action research it is a group of participants and researchers who work together on a given problem or task from their environment. This is similar to co-creation and is usually done in a controlled environment.