The course introduces 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 various social and human sciences disciplines 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 builds the foundation for these research approaches? What possibilities for developing knowledge exist within different action and practice research traditions? What is the potential for carrying out innovative research?

The course includes knowledge on applying these research approaches in designing and developing the student’s 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, and conflicts in the collaboration.

Main Subjects

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

Learning Outcome

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

Knowledge

The student

• 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
• Cas advanced knowledge about how action research and practice research can contribute to the development of innovative knowledge and methods

Skills

The student

• 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 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 Student

• 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

Work and Teaching Methods

• The course is based on lectures, self-study, and study groups/group work.
• Participants will be asked to give presentations of their projects and 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 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.

Other

The course is open to students in VID’s PhD programs and corresponding PhD programs. It is also open for applicants who have an academic background that would qualify them for admission into VID’s PhD programs.

Time and Place

Date: 13.05 – 14.05, 2024

Address: Diakonveien 14 - AU 17, Oslo

Group sessions in:

D14-A111 ATS; D14-A203 GS; D14-A203 GN; D14-A103 ATN

Application date

April 15th, 2024

Compulsory activities

• Course attendance (80%) in lectures and group sessions (15 hours).
• Present preliminary paper (1-2 pages) and deliver paper for assessment.

Pre-course reading:

It is expected that the participants are familiar with relevant literature before the course starts.

Download Reading List PHD-DVP 952 Spring 2024.

Pre-course paper

The participants must submit a presentation of their projects, their experiences from action research and practice research. The presentation will form the basis for discussion where active participation will be expected, both in presenting one’s ideas and providing feedback on the ideas of others. The presentations must be written (1-2 pages) and submitted to the coordinators by April 26th, 2024. The presentations will be accessible for other students on Canvas.

Assessment

Form of Assessment	Duration	Grade
Paper	Eight weeks	Pass/Fail

Submission of an essay. The word limit of the essay is 2000 +/- 10 % words.

Deadline for submission of essay: August 29th, 2024, in Inspera Assessment. The essay must fulfil source reference and quotation technique requirements. If the essay is awarded a fail grade, the candidate can submit a revised essay once, by a specific date.

More information about Inspera Assessment is found in the course pages at Canvas.

Satisfactory course attendance (minimum 80 %), project presentation and approved essay are necessary to obtain the 5 ECTS.

Additional Information about assessment

Candidates must write a paper of 2000 words +/- 10%.

The paper for assessment must be handed in on a digital platform by a specified date. The paper must fulfilling source reference and quotation technique requirements. A passed paper is a precondition for being awarded the 5 ECTS credits. If the paper is awarded a failing grade, the candidate can submit a revised paper once by a specified deadline.

Other

Admission requirements are that the applicants are registered as PhD students at higher education institutions. If seats are available, applicants who are part of Associate Professor Programs, or have a completed master's degree, may be considered for application. A certificate of the master's degree must be enclosed, as well as a summary, one page, with information about their research interest.

The program might be subject to change.

Program

Monday 13. May: Action research and Participatory Action Research

10.00 - 10.15 Welcome, information and introduction. Sidsel Natland and Tor Slettebø.

10.15 - 10.45 Action research. Håvard Aaslund.

10.45 - 11.30 Discussion

11.30 - 12.30 Lunch break

12.30 - 13.00 Participatory action Research (PAR). Sidsel Natland.

13.00 - 13.30 Discussion

13.30 - 13.45 Break

13.15 - 13.45 Epistemological, methodological and ethical challenges in action research. Sissel Seim.

13.45 - 14.15 Discussion

14.45 - 15.00 Break

15.00 - 17.00 Presentation of projects by the course participants

19.00 Dinner

Tuesday 14. May: Action research and Participatory Action Research

09.00 – 09.30 Practice research. Lars Uggerhøj.

09.30 – 10.00 Discussion

10.00 – 10.15 Break

10.15 – 10.45 Participatory action research (PAR): The involvement of people with cognitive impairments, people with mental health issues and homeless people. PAR as part of a PhD-project. Stefan Johansson.

10.45 – 11.15 Discussion

11.15 – 11.45 Impact of action research. Jan Marius Gathen.

11.45 – 12.15 Discussion

12.15 – 13.15 Lunch break

13.15 – 13.45 Assessing quality in action research. Tor Slettebø.

13.45 – 14.15 Discussion

14.15 – 15.00 Summing up. Essay guidelines. Evaluation

About the lecturers

Jan Marius Gathen VID Spesialized University

Stefan Johansson Begripsam/KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Sidsel Natland Oslo Metropolitan University

Sissel Seim Oslo Metropolitan University

Tor Slettebø VID Spesialized University

Lars Uggerhöj Aalborg University

Håvard Aaslund Oslo Metropolitan University

Please note that full reading list and programme will be publihed on January 15th, 2024.