Week 8 Discussion: Communicating Results

Introduction

Unlike other forms of research that maintain scientific distance from the subject being studied, action researchers are part and parcel of the process. They become a member of the group being studied and thus, when the data is gathered and analyzed and recommended action is formulated, they become spokespeople for the group. Many times, co-researchers participate in the final writing of the outcomes of the research. The reflective nature of action research is also a part of writing up and communicating the outcomes. It is not uncommon to see the reflections of the researcher included in an epilogue or section of the research report.

The results of the research may also be communicated in nontraditional ways. Often, narratives or stories become an important component of the results of the research and are reported in unedited fashion. Participants may choose to communicate results through the use of photos, theater productions, or films. Those writing action research dissertations are, unfortunately, limited to the use of the written word. However, inclusion of the narratives, films, photos, and theater productions are important archives that can be used as data in the study and reported on in the final report for the study. The ability to use or report on these pieces hinges on the willingness of the participants to give the researcher permission to use them. If the researcher has done a good job of integrating him- or herself into the group or community, the group will assume that the researcher is a trustworthy messenger and will allow him or her to use any artifacts created by them. Greenwood and Levin (2007) assert that the use of such artifacts, the cogeneration of research reports, and the reflective nature of such reports does not diminish the level of rigor of action research studies. They note that action research often begins with a fairly limited problem statement but through the emergent action research process, evolves into a more robust and refined view of the problem and the action it will take to resolve it. In this way, action research is every bit as rigorous as other forms of research. The communication of results through conventional means helps the more scientific community to appreciate its usefulness in creating change.

References

Greenwood, D. J., & Levin, M. (2007). Introduction to action research (2nd ed.). Sage.

ASSIGMNENT

Consider the following questions:

• How are the results of action research studies generally communicated to the stakeholders and the community?
• How might you plan to communicate your results?
• Will you use technology? If so, in what form?
• How might sensitive political or ethical concerns be communicated effectively?

RESEARCH TOPIC: What strategies do social workers use to support African American men living in urban areas with access to mental health services?

OCCUPATION: Social Work Mental Health Therapist

THEORETICAL PRACTICE: Critical Race Theory

METHODOLOGY: Qualitative