What Happens In An Action Research?

Action research is usually conducted following a cyclical or spiral process which generally alternates between action and critical reflection.

MacIsaac (1995) presents the process as spiral: (1) Plan > (2) Action > (3) Observe > (4) Reflect > (1) Revised Plan >...

Here's another presentation of action research as a spiral process: (1) Assess need for a change or action > (2) Implement the change or action > (3) Study the results > (4) Rethink the need, the change and the results > (1) Reassess >...

Susman (1983) thinks of the process as cyclical: (1) Diagnosing (Identifying or defining a problem) > (2) Action Planning (Considering alternative courses of action) > (3) Taking Action (Selecting a course of action) > (4) Evaluating (Studying the consequences of an action) > (5) Specifying Learning (Identifying general findings) > (1) Diagnosing >... and so does Elliott (in Hopkins, 1993): (1) The Reconnaissance and General Plan > (2) The Action > Monitoring the implementation > (3) Reflection and Revision > (1) Another reconnaissance >...

Here's another (*): (1) Identify an area of practice to be investigated > (2) Imagine a solution > (3) Implement the solution > (4) Evaluate the solution > (5) Change practice in light of the evaluation > (1) New area of investigation >...

I also encountered some models presenting the phases of action research in a way similar to traditional research:

1. Problem Identification > Plan of Action > Data Collection > Analysis of Data > Plan for Future Action
2. Identify an area of concern > Use data to assess your practice > Develop a research question > Work with a critical friend > Focus on action > Modify your question as necessary > Validate your findings > Draw conclusions > Record and share your project
3. Decide on a focus > Develop a plan to gain insights > Analyze the data by looking for patterns, or themes across the evidence > Report on what you have learned (to your colleagues, to parents, at conferences, in journals)

In general, it seems to involve (1) Taking stock of the situation and identifying an area of practice to be investigated > (2) Planning a course of action > (3) Implementing the plan > (4) Evaluating the impact of the action > (5) Modifying practice in consideration of the findings > (1) Taking stock of the revised situation >... (in a cycle or in a spiral). This is pretty much like Susman's and *.