Action Research

Scope & Guideline

Fostering Dialogue for Transformative Practices

Introduction

Welcome to the Action Research information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Action Research, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1476-7503
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2003 to 2024
AbbreviationACTION RES-LONDON / Action Res.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Action Research' primarily focuses on the methodologies and practices involved in action research across various disciplines and contexts. It aims to contribute to the understanding and application of action research as a transformative tool for social change, empowerment, and community engagement.
  1. Participatory Action Research (PAR):
    The journal emphasizes participatory action research as a collaborative approach that actively involves participants in the research process, ensuring their voices and experiences shape the outcomes.
  2. Social Justice and Empowerment:
    A core aim is to address issues of social justice, empowerment, and equity, particularly among marginalized communities, through action research methodologies.
  3. Methodological Innovations:
    The journal promotes innovative methodologies in action research, including arts-based approaches, co-creation, and reflexive practices that enhance the quality and impact of research.
  4. Interdisciplinary Applications:
    Research published in the journal spans various fields such as education, healthcare, community development, and environmental sustainability, showcasing the versatility of action research.
  5. Reflexivity and Critical Engagement:
    A consistent focus on reflexivity encourages researchers to critically engage with their positionality and the power dynamics inherent in the research process.
  6. Transformative Change:
    The journal aims to document and analyze how action research can facilitate transformative change in communities and organizations, driving systemic improvements.
The journal 'Action Research' has seen a rise in several trending and emerging themes that reflect current societal challenges and the evolving landscape of research methodologies. These themes highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues.
  1. Eco-Social Action Research:
    A growing trend is the application of action research to address eco-social crises, emphasizing sustainability and environmental justice as key areas of focus.
  2. Feminist and Gendered Perspectives:
    There is an increasing emphasis on feminist participatory action research, which seeks to disrupt traditional gender discourses and empower women through collaborative inquiry.
  3. Youth Participation and Empowerment:
    Research focusing on youth engagement and participatory action research with young people is gaining prominence, reflecting a commitment to empowering younger generations in social change initiatives.
  4. Arts-Based Research Methods:
    The use of arts-based methodologies within action research is emerging as a significant trend, allowing for creative expression and deeper engagement with participants' experiences.
  5. Community-Centric Approaches:
    There is a notable increase in studies that prioritize community involvement and co-creation, highlighting the importance of local knowledge and the lived experiences of participants in the research process.

Declining or Waning

While the journal 'Action Research' continues to thrive in many areas, some themes have been observed to decline in prominence over recent years. These waning scopes indicate a shift in focus or a reduction in the frequency of related studies.
  1. Traditional Quantitative Approaches:
    There appears to be a decreasing emphasis on traditional quantitative methodologies within action research, as the field increasingly values qualitative, participatory, and reflexive approaches.
  2. Single-Disciplinary Focus:
    Research that is narrowly focused on a single discipline is becoming less common. The journal is increasingly favoring interdisciplinary work that integrates multiple perspectives and methodologies.
  3. Top-Down Research Models:
    There is a noticeable decline in studies that adopt top-down or hierarchical research models, which are at odds with the participatory ethos of action research.
  4. Limited Engagement with Policy Frameworks:
    Research that does not engage with or influence policy frameworks is becoming less prevalent, as the journal emphasizes the importance of actionable insights for policy change.
  5. Neglect of Longitudinal Studies:
    Longitudinal studies that track changes over time are appearing less frequently, despite their potential to offer deep insights into the impact of action research interventions.

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