In this prologue to the special issue on theory in action research we provide a context and an introduction for the articles that follow. We begin by sketching in some of our shared ideas on theory in action research and some of the differences between our own approaches. Then, after briefly describing the process of preparing this issue, we provide a succinct pointer to each article in the issue.
Baskerville, R.L., & Pries-Heje, J. (1999). Grounded action research: A method for understanding IT in practice. Accounting, Management and Information Technologies, 9(1), 1-23.
2.
Cassell, C., & Johnson, P. (2006). Action research: Explaining the diversity. Human Relations, 59(6), 783-814.
3.
Checkland, P. (1981). Systems thinking, systems practice. Chichester: Wiley.
4.
Dewey, J. (1916). Democracy and education. New York: Macmillan.
5.
Dick, B. (2007). What can grounded theorists and action researchers learn from each other? In A. Bryant and K. Charmaz (Eds.), The Sage handbook of grounded theory (pp. 370-388). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
6.
Dooley, L.M. (2002). Case study research and theory building. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 4(3), 335-354.
7.
Freire, P. (1972). The pedagogy of the oppressed. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
8.
Glaser, B.G. (1978). Theoretical sensitivity: Advances in the methodology of grounded theory. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
9.
Glaser, B.G. (2003). The grounded theory perspective, II: Description's remodelling of grounded theory methodology. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
10.
Glaser, B.G., & Strauss, A.L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago, IL: Aldine.
11.
Greenall, P. (2006). The barriers to patient-driven treatment in mental health: Why patients may choose to follow their own path. Leadership in Health Services, 19(1), 11-25.
12.
Henfridsson, O., & Lindgren, R. (2005). Multi-contextuality in ubiquitous computing: Investigating the car case through action research. Information and Organization , 15(2), 95-124.
13.
Huxham, C. (2003). Action research as a methodology for theory development . Policy and Politics, 31(2), 239-248.
14.
Kemmis, S., & McTaggart, R. (eds.) (1988). The action research planner (3rd ed.). Victoria: Deakin University.
15.
Kock, N. (2004). The three threats of action research: A discussion of methodological antidotes in the context of an information systems study . Decision Support Systems, 37(2), 265-286.
16.
Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
17.
Lewin, K. (1946). Action research and minority problems. Journal of Social Issues, 2(4), 34-46.
18.
Morse, J.M. (1998). Validity by committee. Qualitative Health Research, 8(4), 443-445.
19.
Raelin, J.A., & Coghlan, D. (2006). Developing managers as learners and researchers: Using action learning and action research. Journal of Management Education, 30(5), 670-689.
20.
Stringer, E.T. (2004). Action research in education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
21.
Stringer, E.T. (2007). Action research (3rd ed.). London: SAGE.
22.
Susman, G.I., & Evered, R.D. (1978). An assessment of the scientific merit of action research. Administrative Science Quarterly, 23(4), 582-603.
23.
Turnbull, S. (2002). Social construction research and theory building . Advances in Developing Human Resources, 4(3), 317-334.
24.
White, A. (2004). Lewin's action research model as a tool for theory building: A case study from South Africa. Action Research , 2(2), 127-144.
25.
Whitehead, J., & McNiff, J. (2006). Action research: Living theory. London: SAGE.
26.
Wild River, S. (2005). Enhancing the sustainability efforts of local governments. International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 1(1/2), 46-64.
27.
Winter, R. (1998). Managers, spectators and citizens: Where does `theory' come from in action research? Educational Action Research, 6(3), 361-376.
28.
Yoong, P., & Pauleen, D.J. (2004). Generating and analysing data for applied research on emerging technologies: A grounded action learning approach. Information Research, 9(4). Retrieved 23 January 2005, from http://InformationR.net/ir/9-4/paper195.html
