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The dual role of the action researcher

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  • Trondsen, Marianne
  • Sandaunet, Anne-Grete

Abstract

This article aims to provide more insight into advantages and challenges of conducting action research with the intention to improve health care. Action research is distinctive in the sense that the researcher has a dual role as both researcher and implementer of the program studied. The article is based on two Norwegian action-oriented studies that aimed to explore the potential role of online self-help groups for breast cancer patients and adolescents with mentally ill parents respectively. We argue that action research can contribute both to the generation of knowledge, as well as a greater sense of ownership to the program among those who are intended to use it. Nonetheless, a potential conflict between the researcher's pursuit of data, and ethical considerations became apparent in the contexts studied here. Bearing these challenges in mind, we still conclude that action research offers an important contribution for the further development of health care services.

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  • Trondsen, Marianne & Sandaunet, Anne-Grete, 2009. "The dual role of the action researcher," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 13-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:32:y:2009:i:1:p:13-20
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    Cited by:

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    2. Wagemakers, Annemarie & Vaandrager, Lenneke & Koelen, Maria A. & Saan, Hans & Leeuwis, Cees, 2010. "Community health promotion: A framework to facilitate and evaluate supportive social environments for health," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 428-435, November.
    3. Marleen H. Lovink & Frank Verbeek & Anke Persoon & Getty Huisman-de Waal & Marleen Smits & Miranda G. H. Laurant & Anneke J. van Vught, 2022. "Developing an Evidence-Based Nursing Culture in Nursing Homes: An Action Research Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, February.
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    5. Massey, Oliver T., 2011. "A proposed model for the analysis and interpretation of focus groups in evaluation research," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 21-28, February.

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