Theories of Science
5. Action-oriented Research
Action oriented research
Also known as

advocacy, or partisan research

research for social change

participatory appraisal, or assessment

collaborative, or dialogue research

organizational learning
Elements of Action Oriented Research

personal engagement in what is studied

narrative forms of presentation

reflective ambition

giving voice, making visible, opening spaces

”conscientization” (Friere)
Roots in Pragmatism

American theory of knowledge

founded by Peirce, James, Dewey

grew out of ”progressive” movement

truth based in practice (justification)

science as problem solving (discovery)
Phronesis

Aristotle’s third form of knowledge:

a kind of ethical wisdom

expertise in making judgments

knowledge situated or localized
beyond the theoretical and the practical
Action research

outgrowth of labor movement:
”old social movements”

related to social reform in cities

neighborhood, or factory focus

science as empowerment
Technology assessment



outgrowth of student revolts, critiques
of ”big science” and Vietnam War
focus on social and environmental
consequences of technology
US Office of Technology Assessment
(OTA) played paradigmatic role
Proactive TA and EIA



European appropriations in 1980s,
influenced by nuclear energy debates
citizen-expert communication, or
”communicative rationality” (Habermas)
consensus conference model
Participatory rural appraisal

a form of development research

focus on competence building

emphasis on dialogue methods

”putting people first” (Chambers)
Degrees of involvement



partisanship, identification: ”taking
sides”
participation, critical friendship:
”helping out”
professional detachment, academic
distance: ”giving advice”
Varieties of case study



microcosm approach: the case as a world
of its own
comparative approach: the case as
representative of a broader pattern
exemplary approach: the case as a ”good
example” or ”best practice”
Types of processes studied



ongoing processes: research as
intervention, or interactive assessment
finished processes: research as
evaluation, or reactive assessment
future processes: research as
forecasting, or foresighting
The Researcher’s Role

”fly on the wall”

”spider in the web”

”queen bee in the honeycomb”
”Fly on the wall”

traditional academic ideal

researcher as participatory observer

neutral, objective role

”deconstructive” story-telling

scientific narrative approach
”Spider in the web”

pragmatic, democratic ideal

researcher as facilitator

normative, partisan role

”constructive” story-telling

dramaturgical narrative approach
”Queen bee in the
honeycomb”

managerial, leadership ideal

researcher as catalyst, or change agent

expert consultant, advisory role

”reconstructive” story-telling

evaluative narrative approach