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Networking at the Grassroots Level: Action Research Partnerships in Education

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Abstract

This chapter explores the use of grassroots networking to develop partnerships for action research. The primary focus of the chapter is action research within educational settings, although the principles of networking and creating partnerships have similar applications in other community settings. Specific examples of action research partnerships in the field of school counseling are presented, with a special emphasis on the goal of working within a social justice framework. The need for flexibility and creativity in cultivating lasting and effective partnerships is highlighted. An original typology is presented for self-assessment of one’s own approach to partnerships in research projects, along with recommendations for building partnerships, preventing burnout, and engaging in meaningful and relevant action research activities throughout the course of one’s career.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Suzy Thomas

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  1. Suzy Thomas
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Leadership & Education Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, California, USA

    Lonnie L. Rowell

  2. School of Education, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

    Catherine D. Bruce

  3. Education Department, Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

    Joseph M. Shosh

  4. Center for Collaborative Action Research, Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Margaret M. Riel

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Thomas, S. (2017). Networking at the Grassroots Level: Action Research Partnerships in Education. In: Rowell, L., Bruce, C., Shosh, J., Riel, M. (eds) The Palgrave International Handbook of Action Research. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-40523-4_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-40523-4_23

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-44108-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-40523-4

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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