Role of the Researcher & the Action Research Process (Essay Sample)

Action research process
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Role of the researcher
In action research, the researcher functions a unique role considering that the process involves disciplined inquiry carried out for and through those taking the action. In fact, the sole reason action research is undertaken involves the need to aid the actor to improve her or his actions. It can be understood that action research involves an approach to research whereby both action as well as research itself are undertaken collaboratively. It follows that the unique role of a researcher is all about her or him functioning as an implementer or what is otherwise referred to as changing agent. Indeed, this unique role is underpinned through the view in which a researcher works to realize a program under focus (Trondsen and Sandaunet, 2009). In his role within action research, the researcher is also required continuously to engage other interested parties. The unique role of being an implementer sees a researcher contribute to the undertaking of changes as far as the immediate utilization of data and adjustments of the program studies is concerned.
It can be said that the unique role of being an implementer sees the researcher seek to form the thing being studied, which undoubtedly diverges from other research forms in which a researcher is increasingly involved in studying something that has been developed. This sees the researcher’s unique role involve such characteristics as increasing knowledge within the discipline or community as well as implement the program. In fact, as an implementer the researcher has a say not only in the intentions of a program but also the circulation of knowledge with regard to the local context (Trondsen and Sandaunet, 2009). This is at the core of the rather cynical process that underpins action research. Mertler (2013) highlights the manner in which the unique role of an implementer emerges in action research through describing the process as an attempt to explore a real school situation with the aim to advance the quality of actions as well as outcomes within it. In fact, in the unique role it is assumed that the aim is to enhance the researcher’s own professional judgment as well as to provide insight into improved means of attaining desirable outcomes. The insinuation is that the researcher involved in action research has an opportunity to enhance practice making it even better, thus improving overall outcomes.
What is more, the unique role of being an implementer is revealed through the fact that action research involves an evaluation of one’s own practice. The implication is that action research requires a researcher to engage in reflection, which may be described as the act of vitally exploring what she or he is doing and why they engage in it (Mertler, 2013). This is very significant considering that action research process requires improvement of the overarching discipline, which may involve adopting change. Indeed, the researcher as an implementer in action researcher sees her or him advance incorporation of change in line with accrued knowledge. Mertler (2013) notes that action research provides educators with an opportunity to better comprehend, and thus improve, their educational practices, which demonstrate that the researcher essentially becomes the implementer during the action research process.
Strategies to maintain researcher objectively
One of the ways of maintaining researcher objectively throughout the action research process involves ethical considerations. In fact, Holian and Coghlan (2013) note that the issue of maintaining researcher objectively in the action research process always lingers. More so, the researcher is almost guaranteed to encounter dilemmas in her or his role as an implementer. This is because the researcher comes across as insider action researcher in which there is increased need for sufficient skill, support, as well as supervision to make the best out of available choices in solving dilemmas. It follows that there is no one-size-fits all solution to the issue of maintaining researcher objectively, and the fact that action research is typ...