SP9250 Aksjonsforskning og praksisforskning Emneplan

The course gives an introduction to the historical background and development of action research and practice research (including participatory action research, PAR, and participatory practice research, PPR). Research traditions, theories and methodological issues across a variety of disciplines within social and human sciences and professions are examined. The course covers theories of science suited for positioning the epistemological and ontological grounding of action and practice research. Important questions include the following: What are the characteristics of action research and practice research? Which view of knowledge build the foundation for these research approaches? What possibilities for developing knowledge exist within different traditions in action research and practice research? What is the potential for carrying out innovative research?

The course includes knowledge on how to apply these research approaches in designing and developing the student’s own research projects. How to design an action or practice research project that is manageable within the resources of a PhD project is given special attention. Ethical challenges are highlighted and critically reflected on, such as power relations between researchers and other actors, anonymity and confidentiality as well as conflicts in the collaboration.

Main Subjects:

• Action Research
• Practice Research
• Participatory Action Research
• Epistemological and methodological issues

No prior knowledge requirements

Learning Outcome

Completing the course will give the students the following learning outcome, sectioned into knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The PhD candidate

• has in-depth knowledge of the theories of science relating to action research and practice research
• has in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and methodological perspectives that form the basis for action research and practice research, including advanced knowledge about co-production and research with other stakeholders
• can evaluate the expediency and application of methods and research processes within participatory research
• has in-depth knowledge about research ethics significant for processes within action research and practice research
• has advanced knowledge about how action research and practice research can contribute to the development of innovative knowledge and methods

Skills:

The PhD candidate

• can analyse and reflect critically on epistemological and methodological issues in action research and practice research
• can plan and carry out action research and practice research projects of high l standard can handle complex academic issues related to knowledge production and research ethics
• can challenge established knowledge and practice in the field

General Competence:

The PhD candidate

• can identify relevant and innovative research questions for action research and practice research
• can identify relevant ethical issues within participatory research to carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity
• can initiate and manage complex research projects based on collaboration with different stakeholders
• can communicate the research to stakeholders and academic debates through recognized channels, both national and international

The course is based on lectures, self-study and study groups/group work.Participants will be asked to give presentations of their projects, their experiences from action research and practice research. The presentations will form the basis for discussions where active participation will be expected, both in presenting one's own ideas and providing feedback on the ideas of others. The presentations must be put into writing (1-2 pages) and distributed to the teachers and other course participants by the stipulated deadline.

Deltakerne blir bedt om å presentere forskningsspørsmål og å utforme forskningsdesign for studier basert på praksisbasert forskning og aksjonsforskning. Presentasjonene vil danne grunnlag for diskusjoner der det forutsettes aktiv deltakelse i form av å både presentere egne ideer og å gi tilbakemelding på andres. Presentasjonene skal formuleres skriftlig (1-2 sider) og distribueres til undervisere og øvrige kursdeltakere innen angitt tidsfrist. Deltakelse er obligatorisk og forventet alle undervisningsdager. Kun i spesielle tilfeller kan et mindre fravær; (inntil 20 %) godtas etter søknad. Ved ikke godkjent fravær vil deltaker miste retten til å få essayet vurdert. ;

The subject is mandatory for all candidates in the Information, Library and Archival specialization. The candidates are encouraged to complete the course early in their studies.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• Has advanced knowledge about major trends in social science’s relations to the wider society
• Has extensive knowledge about specific topics that have come to dominate the academic field such as the importance of outreach, user-involvement, stakeholders in research and knowledge translation, knowledge hierarchies, citizen science, science skepticism/politization of science, open science, and responsible research and innovation
• Has advanced knowledge about theories explaining current trends in the relations between research, universities and society

Skills

The candidate:

• Can discuss his or her own research in terms of possible societal impact and is able to set up a concrete plan outlining the pathway to impact
• Can discuss his or her project in terms of strategies to involve ordinary citizens in fieldwork or end-users in the design, implementation and dissemination of the research

General competence

The candidate:

• Will be able to critically reflect upon the drivers of recent trends that increasingly obliterate the borders between the field of science and surrounding fields of politics and practice, assessing the advantages and pitfalls of these developments
• Will have improved understanding of their own role as researchers vis-à-vis various stakeholder groups such as agencies commissioning research, professional associations, user associations and the general public

Teaching will take the form of lectures and seminar discussions. Concrete examples, preferably from candidates’ own PhD projects, will be used as a basis for discussing different perspectives and aspects of the course’s content.

The course is organized as a three-day seminar. Active participation is necessary to adequately understand the course material and themes. Candidates will work with practical cases of how their own doctoral research relates to course themes, for example how their research outcomes may lead to impact (i.e. contribute to change in the field), how one may involve users or stakeholders in research activities or how to adopt an ‘open science’ approach. Participation is therefore mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching and required to attend at least 80 percent of teaching days. In special cases of documented illness, the course leader may accept exceptions to this requirement. In these cases, lack of participation can be substituted with alternative arrangements such as active reading of the relevant syllabus literature.