Tenets of Action Research vs. Tenets of Critical Ethnography

Attribute	Tenets of Action Research	Tenets of Critical Ethnography
Focus	Problem-solving and improvement	Cultural critique and social change
Researcher Role	Collaborator and facilitator	Participant observer and advocate
Methodology	Systematic inquiry and reflection	Qualitative data collection and analysis
Community Involvement	Engagement with stakeholders	Empowerment of marginalized groups

Tenets of Action Research

Action research is a systematic approach to solving practical problems in a specific context. It involves a cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. The tenets of action research emphasize collaboration between researchers and participants, with the goal of creating positive change. Action research is often used in educational settings to improve teaching and learning practices. One of the key tenets of action research is the idea of continuous improvement through iterative cycles of inquiry and action.

• Collaboration between researchers and participants
• Focus on creating positive change
• Iterative cycles of inquiry and action
• Systematic approach to solving practical problems
• Emphasis on reflection and learning

Tenets of Critical Ethnography

Critical ethnography is a research approach that focuses on understanding power dynamics and social inequalities within a specific cultural context. It involves a deep immersion in the culture being studied, with the goal of uncovering hidden assumptions and challenging dominant narratives. The tenets of critical ethnography emphasize the importance of reflexivity, social justice, and giving voice to marginalized groups. Critical ethnography is often used in sociology and anthropology to critique existing power structures and advocate for social change.

• Focus on power dynamics and social inequalities
• Deep immersion in the culture being studied
• Uncovering hidden assumptions and challenging dominant narratives
• Emphasis on reflexivity and social justice
• Giving voice to marginalized groups

Comparing Attributes

While action research and critical ethnography have different focuses and goals, they share some common attributes. Both approaches emphasize the importance of collaboration and engagement with participants. They also both involve a process of reflection and learning, with the goal of creating positive change in the context being studied. However, action research tends to be more focused on practical problem-solving, while critical ethnography is more concerned with uncovering power dynamics and advocating for social justice.

One key difference between the two approaches is the level of immersion in the culture being studied. Critical ethnography typically involves a deep and prolonged engagement with the culture, while action research may be more focused on specific interventions or projects within that culture. Additionally, critical ethnography often involves a more explicit focus on social inequalities and marginalized groups, while action research may have a broader focus on improving practices or processes.

Both action research and critical ethnography can be valuable tools for researchers seeking to understand and address complex social issues. By combining elements of both approaches, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the context in which they are working and develop more effective strategies for creating positive change. Ultimately, the choice between action research and critical ethnography will depend on the specific goals and objectives of the research project, as well as the cultural and social context in which it is being conducted.