Systemic Action Research

Abstract

Systemic action research, the focus in this chapter, can be understood as an antidote to non-reflexive research practice. The chapter begins by reflecting on research practice because it is the practice most associated with the production of new knowledge. A critique is provided from the normative position that any practice that only concerns itself with the so-called ‘discovery of new knowledge’ falls short of responsible practice. It does so, whether implicitly or explicitly, through the failure to recognise that any research practice is first and foremost a socially embedded practice. Action research is transformed into systemic action research whenever those involved act, or strive to act, with epistemological awareness. The motivation for distinguishing systemic action research from action research is to draw attention to the need for the researcher to take responsibility for their epistemological commitments. Examples of systemic action research are provided.