Applying theory to practice: an action research resource pack for professionals

A socio-technical experiment with a resource efficient product service system

“…The applicability of the learnings gained in the socio-technical experiment should be treated with caution because the experimental approach is context specific and the results may not be easily transferable to the wider market (Heale 2003). Outside a socio-technical niche, the contributors to the delivery of the PSS may be difficult to co-ordinate.…”

“…Although the design of the project as a strategic niche experiment was initially not made explicit, the REBUS project conforms to Caniglia et al's (2017) typology of niche experiments. AR supports multiple methods for collecting data (Heale 2003), such as expert workshops -a type of elite group interview that aims to capture the opinions and thoughts of experts (Brinkmann and Kvale 2015) and observation. The REBUS niche involved:…”

Round and round we go: an ‘action’ ride on the rehearsing and performing cycle

“…Spirals of action research can indicate the presence of several cycles, as O' Brien and Moules (2007) explain, upwardly spiralling, as the investigation lengthens. Heale (2003) provides a helpful illustration of cycles and spirals in his action research pack designed for practitioner researchers; Figs 1 and 2 illustrate these within a rehearsing and performing context. Some forms of inquiry using action research spirals have a focus on a single research question while others focus simultaneously on multiple research questions (Gallas, 1998).…”