Action Research

Action research is also known as Participatory Action Research, community-based research, cooperative inquiry, action science, and/or action learning. It is an approach commonly used for improving conditions and practices in communities and organizations. The purpose of undertaking action research is to address problems identified and experienced by a group or community to bring about change.  The strength of action research lies in its focus on generating solutions to practical problems and its ability to empower both practitioners and the group or community, by working collaboratively to address and implement intervention activities and action plans.  Implementation activities and action plans are then systematically monitored in order to reflect on the process, impact, and outcomes, potentially resulting in another round of action.  Thus, action research is considered a cyclical process.

Program Evaluation

Program evaluation is conducted to surface any potential issues or concerns and uncover how well a program is working.  Initiating a program evaluation does not require that an issue or concern is already identified. Instead of focusing on one particular problem, a program evaluation seeks to determine program effects.  In other words, program evaluation seeks to determine whether a program is delivering on its promise.  The strengths and weaknesses of a program are surfaced through systematic applications of scientific methods.  At the conclusion of the evaluation, recommendations for intervention, change, improvement, or modification of the program will be generated and shared with the program’s stakeholders.