Book Review: Doing Action Research in Your Own Organization, 2nd Edn

Abstract

Concurrent with the increasing participation in masters and doctoral programmes by people working in business and administrative positions, action research is becoming an increasingly common practice. This book addresses the growing need to present a thorough understanding of the principles, practices and unique challenges of doing action research in your own organization, as distinct from action research conducted by persons external to an organization. The authors state that the practice of what they call 'insider action research' (p. xi) has proliferated in the few years separating the first and second editions of this book, and while there are many publications concerned with the theory and practice of action research, this book differs in that it addresses the specific audience of people doing research in their own organizations. This creates an added dimension to the researcher's role, which is at the same time both separate from and a part of their substantive role within their organization. It is the explanation and understanding of the interplay between these role distinctions that sets this book apart from other action research texts and which very appropriately gives rise to the claim that 'this book is essential reading for students, and established academics, seeking an entry-point to conducting research in their own organizations' (back cover).