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Quality in Action Research: Reflections for Second-Order Inquiry

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Abstract

One of the current debates in action research concerns the quality of these practices. Up to now, many contributions have focused on defining specific criteria based on action research epistemology. This article sustains (1) that prior to dealing with these questions, it is necessary to define for what purpose and for whom we are making the evaluation; (2) that this leads us to make a distinction between different evaluation models; and (3) that the quality strategies and criteria will be different for each model. In particular, the article confronts an academic evaluation model as a form of external control over the quality of action research and an internal, participatory evaluation model as a quality strategy aimed at establishing feedback for the process. Final considerations are given about the implications of both models for academia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain

    Joel Martí

  2. Department of Sociology II, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223, Madrid, Spain

    Tomás R. Villasante

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  1. Joel Martí
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  2. Tomás R. Villasante
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Correspondence to Joel Martí.

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Martí, J., Villasante, T.R. Quality in Action Research: Reflections for Second-Order Inquiry. Syst Pract Action Res 22, 383–396 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-009-9136-x

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