Discussion: Action Research for Social Change
With consideration for Walden University's commitment to both local and global actions to make a difference in communities and generate positive social change, this week you will head into your own community and consider how you might generate social change through the use of action research. Reflect on the area where you live and think about a social problem that exists on an individual, at the institutional level, or community level. Remember that action research is a collaborative effort between the researcher and the participants. As you think about an area that you feel is in need of social change, think about how you, as a researcher, could work together to generate possible options for addressing the social problem. For this Discussion, you will post an image of the social problem you would like to focus on and propose how you might use action research to facilitate community action and develop solutions that address the issue. The idea is for you to take a photo that demonstrates a need for community improvement-a snapshot that captures the issue you are concerned about. You may take the photo with your smartphone, camera, or other electronic devices that will allow you to upload the file to your computer.
To Prepare
• Think about areas in your community that could benefit from social change.
• Take a photo that reflects where social change is needed. With consideration for informed consent and to protect the confidentiality of the community at large, please do not post photos that include identifiable facial images of human subjects.
• Include the photo you took that reflects where social change is needed.
• Describe the social issue and explain how you could use action research to promote social change in this area of your community.
• Identify who the participants would be in your study and what research question you would like to work together with the participants to answer.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.
Required Resources
Bjørn, P., & Boulus, N. (2011). Dissenting in reflective conversations: Critical components of doing action research. Action Research, 9, 282-302. doi:10.1177/1476750310396949
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Guiffrida, D. A., Douthit, K. Z., Lynch, M. F., & Mackie, K. L. (2011). Publishing action research in counseling journals. Journal of Counseling & Development, 89, 282-287. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00090.x
Saul, W., & Launius, J. C. (2010). Making the case for action research: Control group. Science Scope, 34(1), 24-29.
Required Media
Walden University, Center for Research Quality. (n.d.-a). Research resources: Research design & analysis: Action research.