ACTION RESEARCH An alternative way of conceiving and executing research N.L. NARASIMHA REDDY POVERTY LEARNING FOUNDATION

ACTION RESEARCH Once huge lorry entered a road tunnel. The tunnel’s roof was a centimeter lower than the lorry’s. The lorry became struck in the tunnel entrance. Traffic was blocked. ARRIVED PONDERED Police Dismantle lorry Tunnel expert Dismantle tunnel Traffic expert Dismantle both Then a small boy stepped out the crowd that had gathered. Why do not let the air out of tyres he asked.

IS A QUEST FOR ANSWERS The Steady Movement, historically, to move from a systematic set of observations and comparisons to increasingly technical interpretations of reality ACTION RESEARCH

Approach 1 Needs based Development Village exists since 1960 No right on land Conflict between Forest department and people Identification of habitation Time line analysis Observant participation (Socio-political and economic phenomenon) Problem analysis (1997) Forest Department and people Conflict between Forest and revenue Department Dialogue process Information on spaces available JFM area demarcated Collaborative space emergedProviding information Process documentation Collective action (SHG) SHG bank linkages, Electricity, road, Drinking water, etc Periodic dialogue and demand Process documentation Conflict over VSSCorruption of VSS president Affected SHG Focused interview with Leadership and key members

Approach 2 Change Management Watershed PlusDesigning change Revisited indicators Experience gathering QPA, PSA Stakeholder Consultations Pilot phaseInformation management Capacity building Facilitation of action learning Partnership management Baseline Success stories Process Documentation Case Studies Intervention process tracking Institutional learning phase DCBC as change agents Role facilitation Interface meetings Scaling upRe-designingIn-depth thematic studies Institutional analysis Process documents

Approach 3 Learning and Influencing Policy Action research for Learning Stakeholder analysis in three states In India Learning - Networks Other experiences - Working groups Locating gaps, spaces and opportunities in policy National workshop

OBJECTIVES Learning to design and implement. Ongoing search for a change process and management into socio economic development. To be part of action and find possible ways forward

Research vis-à-vis Action Research ResearchAction Research FocusTheoretical and conceptual understandin g Action Purpose Understand better Facilitation of change Post factoConcurrent – be part of action

Believes in Ownership Increasing knowledge which enables events and phenomena. Focus on increasing awareness, so that researchers and participants engage more fully with the realities of their situations. Freedom to pursue multiple objectives and to adopt objectives to the situation at hand. Solutions are fully owned by key participants.

1. Action Research project – Both process and results – can be immediate and direct benefit to a community. Better able to articulate problems and initiate the search for solutions. COMPONENTS OF ACTION RESEARCH

2. Involve the community in the entire project, from the formulation of problem and the interpretation of the finding to planning corrective action based upon them reality of community

3. Action Research sees data collection, analysis and reflection as part of a cycle, of which action is key element. Research questions arise originally from the experience of people working in the field and reflecting on their work. Action Research usually involves introducing new practice, and then testing how well it goes. Action Research is seen as a kind of experiment, in a real – life setting. Implementation is real test in Action Research COMPONENTS OF ACTION RESEARCH

3.Action is seen as a part of a total educational experience; which serves To determine community needs and to increase awareness of problems and commitment to solutions within the community. COMPONENTS OF ACTION RESEARCH

4. Combine community participation in decision making with method of social investigation 5.Liberation of human creative potential and mobilization of human resources for the solution of social problems

COMPONENTS OF ACTION RESEARCH 6. Research for more accurate and consistent explanation for social and political realities. Go beyond success stories/ Much larger than success. searcher becomes an integral part of educational / Development planning As a dialogue over time and not as a statistic picture of reality at one point in time.

ACTION RESEARCH – IDEOLOGICAL IMPLICATION What is reality of landlords and perhaps even some government officials is not necessity reality for tenants. [a]Re- affirmation of the political nature of all we do [b]To make the choice to work only for people at an early stage.

An alternative way of conceiving and executing research. Suit needs of our work. Suit to our own values more closely. Serving interests of those with and for whom we work. People concerned with the issue will be involved in research process WHAT DOES IT OFFER?

Advantages Generalist and project staff The choice of methods and techniques The out comes of Action Research. Study as you are implementing Concurrent – be part of action Produces new behaviour which helps in project growth. Disadvantages Rarely gives policy understanding externalities etc. The relations between participants and researchers-role definition affect the outcomes. New behaviour may block possibilities-if researcher does not facilitate alternatives. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

How research of this nature initiated? What are the links of this work with political organizations? What is participation? How can control of research be effectively maintained by the poor? Given economic realities, where does people find the time to become involved in work of this nature? QUESTIONS

TRANSFERING POWER TO LANDLESS LABOUR OR THE POOR Linking research and action with the poorest classes. To produce search for alternative approaches with participation of the poor in an analysis of their own reality whose ideas will never be read in the journals or discussed in conferences. Or Economic Planning Ministries where Government Policies are being set. Generation of knowledge, awareness and social change EXPECTED RESULT