How does action research differ applied research?

Action research and applied research are both forms of research that aim to solve practical problems and improve practices in various fields. However, there are some key differences between the two approaches:

1. Purpose: The main purpose of action research is to bring about change and improvement in a specific context or situation, often through collaboration with stakeholders and active participation in the research process. Applied research, on the other hand, focuses on generating knowledge and understanding that can be applied to a broader range of contexts or situations.

2. Researcher involvement: In action research, researchers are actively involved in the research process and often work closely with practitioners or stakeholders to identify problems, develop interventions, and evaluate outcomes. Applied research, on the other hand, typically involves researchers conducting studies independently and then disseminating their findings to practitioners or policymakers.

3. Time frame: Action research is often conducted in real-time and involves iterative cycles of planning, action, reflection, and revision. Applied research, on the other hand, may have a longer time frame and involve more traditional research methods such as experiments, surveys, or case studies.

4. Generalizability: The findings of action research are often specific to the context in which the research was conducted and may not be easily generalizable to other settings. Applied research, on the other hand, aims to generate knowledge that can be applied more broadly and may be more generalizable.

Overall, while both action research and applied research aim to address practical problems and improve practices, they differ in terms of their purpose, researcher involvement, time frame, and generalizability.

Action Research

- Purpose: Focuses on practical problem-solving within a specific context.
- Characteristics:
- Participatory: Involves stakeholders in research and decision-making.
- Iterative: Consists of multiple cycles of planning, action, observation, and reflection.
- Collaborative: Researchers and practitioners work together.
- Contextual: Conducted in a real-world setting to address specific issues.
- Goal: Improve practice and understanding by generating knowledge that is directly applicable to the context.

Applied Research

- Purpose: Develops knowledge and solutions to address practical problems.
- Characteristics:
- Problem-focused: Aims to solve a specific problem or issue.
- Empirical: Uses scientific methods to collect and analyze data.
- Generalizable: Findings are intended to apply to a broader population or context.
- Externally funded: Often supported by external organizations or agencies.
- Goal: Produce knowledge that can be used to inform decision-making and improve public policy or practice.

Key Differences

- Target audience: Action research focuses on specific stakeholders within a context, while applied research targets a broader audience or population.
- Context: Action research is closely tied to a specific context, while applied research may be conducted in a laboratory or a simulated setting.
- Involvement of stakeholders: Action research involves stakeholders in the research process, while applied research may involve limited stakeholder involvement.
- Iterative nature: Action research is iterative in nature, while applied research may follow a more linear process.
- Goal of knowledge: Action research aims to generate knowledge that is directly applicable to the specific context, while applied research seeks knowledge that can be generalizable.