When considering the purpose of this unit, I took a much closer look at various research traditions. By reading the textbook, as well as by looking through academic blogs relating to both action research and critical social science, I was able to decipher why I feel compelled to learn more about action research. (There are many blog posts addressing action research, and I spent quite a bit of time linking from blog to blog.)
The concept of identifying a problem, taking action, and evaluating results really appeals to me, particularly in its expedience. While critical social science is also appealing, I believe that I am too results-oriented to successfully appreciate researching an issue where the resolution may not be realized for multiple generations. Action research offers the researcher, research group, and/or organization to implement change affecting a current context.
As with any research method, it is important to ensure that the method suits the research question. As in our group's initial presentation, we identified the research techniques that would best suit our research question and then evaluated where those techniques fell within the different cultures of inquiry. This seems like a reasonable method of determining the most effective culture of inquiry to use when working on our research question.
Asselin, K. (2008). Blogging: The remediation of academic and business communications (Order No. 1452706). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (304449817). Retrieved from https://ezproxy.royalroads.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/304449817?accountid=8056