Kaleidoscope of Voices on Action Research
by Melissa Parenti
The MethodSpace focus for October 2020 was on Action Research. Our Mentors-in-Residence this month were Ernie Stringer and Alfredo Ortiz Aragon, co-authors of a new edition of the text Action Research. They invited chapter authors and colleagues to contribute to this rich series of posts.
We benefit greatly from engaging voices of others beyond self. As action researchers, the success of our work is reliant upon these additional voices, or stakeholders. They are central to our collaborative work. This collaboration begins when we invite stakeholders into the conversation and research process, or when they initiate an inquiry process and invite us in. And, this invite stage is often the “easy part”. But very quickly, and as the research project ensues, balancing the array of voices and thought that emerges becomes both energizing and complex. Managing and highlighting this kaleidoscope reflective of voices, experiences, and thought, though, is also what becomes the “most rewarding part”. It is the vibrance of representation of difference and moments of intersection that bring about authentic and sustainable change made possible through action research.
Stringer & Ortiz Aragón (2021) provide support in this relational aspect of our action research work. They remind us of the importance of accepting others for who they are and not who we hope for them to be and maintaining harmony while doing so. Complicated as these relationships may be, a few standard practices offer simple solutions.
Acceptance – As a lead researcher this is enacted through your role as active listener. Your aim is to investigate, facilitate, and provide the space for others to have their voices heard. In this information gathering state, acknowledgement and respect of the unique experiences individuals bring to the table is the goal. For example, in initial conversations related to how others experience the problem linked to the research, the researcher adopts a kaleidoscope-like lens and looks to gather or “see” new spins or iterations and interpretations of the issue. Understanding this myriad of reality is required in order to implement solutions or actions to resolve the problem.
Harmony – Group dynamics are a driving force when considering the potential for harmony. Although unable to predict the specifics of the dynamics that evolve, very clear articulation, establishment and commitment to group norms, well formed group goals pertaining to research questions, action steps, and evaluation, and clarity in roles and responsibilities help to bring the team back to center when voices and opinions may stray off course. This preliminary, grounding work most often occurs during the first meeting of stakeholders and is continually revisited, adapted as needed, and visibly present during each follow-up meeting, as well.
Our work as action researchers challenges us to cultivate and sustain relationships. High level active stakeholder engagement vastly broadens our scope and cannot be dismissed. As we move forward with our research – and in our day to day worlds – acceptance and harmony become promising routes for embracing a kaleidoscope of voices.
Stringer, E. T. & Ortiz Aragón, A. (2021). Action Research (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publishing.
More Methodspace Posts from this Action Research Series
In this guest post Catherine Collins describes ways to put action research principles into practice.