Action Research Vs Case Study Essay

In the qualitative paradigm, there are two methods of conducting the research: action research and case study. Action research is an iterative approach which combines theory and practice and consists of a “collaborative analyses of the research participants which will help formulate the theory and the collaborative change when studying the results” (Baskerville & Wood-Harper, 1996). A case study is a term which “describes a way to systemise observation” (Welck, 1984). Yin (1984, p.23) defined the case study research method as “an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context; when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident; and in which multiple sources of evidence are used”. In action research, the participants are involved in the new situation with

In the Lewin’s (1948) stage cycle, this initial reflection is very important as it is the first step in the cycle. Then, the practitioner has to make a detailed plan of action in order to propose a solution to overcome this difficulty. The implementation phase is the action phase in the cycle where the proposed solutions are executed. There may be unpredictable or unforeseen events that can occur during the first stage of the cycle. This calls for the practitioner to improve the implementation phase and then act again in the second stage of the cycle. The observations planned in the first stage can be used to improve the second stage and this goes on where the practitioner will have to reflect constantly during the implantation and observation phase as it is the core of the action research. Following this, I plan to adopt the Lewin’s model of an action research as my research will be an ongoing process and this model calls for improvement and constant reflections on my part to be able to achieve my