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Bringing Research to Life Through Action Research Methods*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Jean A. King
Jean A. King
Affiliation:
University of Minnesota
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Abstract

The intuitive notion of action research — planning with individuals to try something out, studying what happens when the change is implemented, making appropriate revisions, and then trying it again — appeals to researchers interested in using the practical knowledge of the people they study, simultaneously allowing them to develop strong personal connections. This paper provides an overview of action research methods and their potential use in applied social research on aging and the elderly. The first section defines terms and gives examples of action research. The second section reviews work in this field, and the final section presents four questions for gerontologists to consider.

Résumé

La notion intuitive de la recherche action (planifier des actions avec des personnes en étudier les résultats une fois les changements apportés, réviser le tout puis essayer de nouveau) intéresse les chercheurs désirant utiliser des connaissances pratiques chez les personnes qu'ils étudient, ce qui leur permet dans un même temps d'établir de solides liens personnels. Cet article résume les méthodes de recherche action ainsi que les possibilités qu'elles offrent en matière de recherche sociale appliquée sur le vieillissement et les personnes âgées. La première section fournit des définitions de termes et des exemples de la recherche action. La deuxième passe en revue le travail effectué dans ce domaine et la dernière soumet quatre questions aux gérontologues.

Keywords

Action Research.Recherche action.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 14 , Issue S1 , Été/Summer 1995 , pp. 165 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1995

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