Exploring the development of action research in nursing and social care in the UK: A comparative bibliometric review of action research designs in social work (2000–2010)

Abstract

Action research is promoted in the UK as a vehicle for practice development in health and social care, but its application has not been evaluated. This study reviews research designs in published social work studies, 2000–2010. Applying the analytic strategy of Munn-Giddings et al. (2008) also enabled comparison to be made with nursing action research. Action research has a strong presence in social work. Studies were highly collaborative, mainly qualitative and largely focused on practice or educational development, though user-focused change had a presence. Participant groups generally were ‘active’ in the research process, but participation by academics was low. In contrast, authorship was dominated by academics. External funding suggested an attractiveness of action research to funders. Action research in social work shared similarities with nursing. Main differences were involvement of the voluntary sector, the favouring of interactive group working, and a greater likelihood of service users being co-researchers. Of most concern is the lack of authorship (and by implication, ownership) by practitioners or service users. This is contrary to the underpinning inclusive philosophy, and researchers should be more proactive in acknowledging the contribution of individuals, groups or organizations, as appropriate, and so evidence their growth in research capability and capacity.

Hermeneutic application research – finding a common understanding and consensus on care and caring

“…With this design, we suppose that it will be able to develop both clinical practice and caring theory, but how is it possible to develop both caring theory and clinical practice when using this design? There is great potential in hermeneutical application research due to it being a methodology with the goal of developing caring and care practice both theoretically and clinically .…”

“…Studies show that implementation often occurs with the help of various research approaches and scientific methods. The implementation emanates from researchers who involving practitioners and create interventions in order to evolve or change the current clinical practice . Action research, participatory action research, co‐operative inquiry, collaborative inquiry, action science and action learning are all examples of methods where researchers involve practitioners as co‐researchers and where they together solve practical problems and thus better the clinical practice .…”

Scientific rigour and innovations in participatory action research investigating workplace learning in continuing interprofessional education

“…To achieve this, researchers and knowledge users must display strong leadership in studies influenced by participatory endeavors like PAR investigating workplace learning in CIPE in order to support their diffusion, rigour and knowledge advancement (McVicar et al, 2012;Munn-Giddings et al, 2008;Munten et al, 2010;Waterman et al, 2001). This article is thus intended as a contribution to this trend that, we hope, grows in years to come and encourages more and more academic as well as non-academic investigators from complementary backgrounds to go forward with their research endeavours.…”

Insider Action research as an approach and a method – Exploring institutional encounters from within a birthing context

“…From the beginning, the change in daily routines was discussed within these ordinary professional encounters, with the ambition to improve care. The iterative nature of these kinds of conversations indicates unpredictability inherent in any attempt to clearly identify the focus of change and in the expected results in AR projects (McVicar, Munn-Giddings, & Abu-Helil, 2012).…”