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 actions research and practice research? Which view of knowledge builds 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 applying these research approaches in designing and developing the students’ research projects. Designing an action or practice research that is manageable within the resources of a PhD project is given special attention. In addition, ethical challenges are highlighted and critically reflected on, such as power relations between researchers and other actors, anonymity and confidentiality, and conflicts in collaboration.

Main subjects

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

This course will use Canvas as the platform for information.

Sessions

The work will consist of a combination of lectures and student activities through discussions, presentations of and responding to PhD projects

This course uses Canvas as the platform for information and lectures.

Time and place

Date: 10.05. - 11.05.2022

Address: VID Oslo, Diakonveien 14, AU 17

Program

Tuesday 10. May: Action research and Participatory Action Research

10.00 - 10.30 Welcome, information and introduction. Sidsel Natland and Tor Slettebø

10.30 - 11.15 Action research, Håvard Aaslund

11.15 - 12.00 Discussion

12.00 - 13.00 Lunch break

13.00 - 13.45 Participatory action Research (PAR), Sidsel Natland

13.45 - 14.45 Discussion

14.45 - 15.00 Break

15.00 - 17.00 Presentation of projects by the course participants

19.00 Dinner

Wednesday 11. May: Action research and Participatory Action Research

09.00 - 9.45 Practice research, Lars Uggerhøj

9.45 - 10.30 Discussion

10.30 - 10.45 Break

10.45 - 11.30 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

11.30 - 12.15 Discussion

12.15 - 13.15 Lunch break

13.15 - 14.00 Epistemological, methodological and ethical challenges in action/practice research. Erik Eriksson

14.00 - 14.45 Discussion

14.45 - 15.00 Break

15.00 - 16.00 Summing up. Essay guidelines. Evaluation

Om foreleserne/about the lecturers

Tor Slettebø Professor, VID vitenskapelige høgskole

Sidsel Natland Associate professor, OsloMet – storbyuniversitetet

Håvard Aaslund Associate professor, OsloMet – storbyuniversitetet

Lars Uggerhøj Professor, Aalborg universitet

Erik Eriksson Associate professor, Lunds universitet

Stefan Johansson, Accessibility expert and PhD in Human Computer Interaction

Compulsory assignments

Pre-course reading

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

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 May 6th, 2022. The presentations will be accessible for other students on Canvas.

Asessment

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

Deadline for submission of essay: August 26th, 2022, 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.

Literature