DESIGN-BASED RESEARCH AND ACTION-RESEARCH: TWO INTERSECTING VISIONS

Abstract

This paper had raised from an exchange of experiences between the two authors in the field of research in Education. Faced, at times, with the need to elucidate the characteristics, potential and suitability of one of these methodologies taking into account a given research problem, in a first analysis we started some discussions about what is similar and dissimilar between the two approaches. The reflections now brought to light reflect a first outline resulting from this discussion. We had organized the article in three sections. In the first and second sections, we tried, albeit in a synthetic way, to characterize Design-Based Research and Action-Research. In the third section, we seek to make known the similarities of the two approaches and the result of reflection on them. Based on the similarities found, it is our belief that sharing fundamental assumptions, both approaches are positioned in a Pragmatic Paradigm of Research in Education.