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  3. “We were treated like adults”—development of a pre-medicine summer school for 16 year olds from deprived socioeconomic backgrounds: action research study
Research

“We were treated like adults”—development of a pre-medicine summer school for 16 year olds from deprived socioeconomic backgrounds: action research study

BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38755.582500.55 (Published 30 March 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:762

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Action research: an opportunity for direct practice benefit

Perhaps an opportunity was missed by Trisha Greenhalgh and colleagues
to be explicit about why action research in particular can be an approach
to research of direct benefit to practice. Action research is
characterised by participation, democracy and contribution to social
science and social change (Meyer 2000). It is part of a participatory
paradigm that focuses on a concern for doing research with, for and by
people and communities, rather than on them (Reason & Bradbury 2001).
The relationship between the researcher and the researched is redefined,
with all those involved in the endeavour being viewed as equal partners.
In addition, participatory research can be distinguished from other
approaches by the level, intensity and duration of the commitment to a
community by a researcher (Lincoln 2001). The quality of relationships
between inquiry participants enrich the findings of the inquiry and
optimise their utility in informing positive, practical changes (Heron
& Reason 1997). In other words, the more steeped in the setting the
researcher is, and/or the more true-to-life the relationships between
participants are, the more likely it is that deeper understandings emerge
and that positive action will result.

The principles of action research challenge conventional
understandings of scientific inquiry and knowledge, but done well, action
research can add an important dimension to what we know about health care
practice and how improvements can be made.

Heron,J & Reason,P (1997) A participatory inquiry paradigm.
Qualitative Inquiry, 3(3), 274-94.

Lincoln,Y.S. (2001)Engaging sympathies: relationships between action
research and social constructivism. In 'Handbook of action research:
participative inquiry and practice' P.Reason & H.Bradbury (Eds.)
London: Sage, pp. 124-132.

Meyer,J (2000) Using qualitative methods in health related action
research BMJ 320: 178-181

Reason,P & Bradbury,H (2001) Handbook of action research:
participative inquiry and practice. London: Sage

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

03 April 2006
Jackie Bridges
Senior Research Fellow
City University, St Bartholomew School of Nursing & Midwifery, Philpot St, London E1 2EA
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