“They don’t take notes!” Tensions perceived by first-line workers in an action research project
Peer reviewed, Journal article
Accepted version
Permanent lenke
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3136130Utgivelsesdato
2023Metadata
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Sammendrag
Purpose: This study aims to emphasize the importance of taking into account the perspectives of prospective participants and identifying potential tensions in action research.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper reflects on a (participatory) action research (AR) project in which the first author was involved as an embedded researcher. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, field notes and observed project activities. The authors conducted a thematic analysis.
Findings: This paper thematically categorized four types of tensions between both groups. These were tensions connected to: internal facilitators giving guidance, project goals, top-down expectations and unfamiliarity with AR working formats.
Practical implications: Quintessential to AR is giving the less privileged a voice. For this to work, gaining a good understanding of their perspectives is crucial.
Originality/value: This paper challenges the implicit assumption that prospective participants of AR projects are always willing to participate.