Lt. Hoshmand et K. Obyrne, RECONSIDERING ACTION RESEARCH AS A GUIDING METAPHOR FOR PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, Journal of community psychology, 24(3), 1996, pp. 185-200
Action research is proposed as a more appropriate guiding metaphor for
inquiry in professional psychology than applied research as tradition
ally conceived and practiced. Institutional, social, and ideological f
actors that affect the research practices of psychologists are conside
red in the context of contemporary knowledge production. The history o
f action research and its justification with a pragmatist epistemology
are given. Its value in promoting a culture of inquiry based on colla
borative norms and the reciprocity of theory and practice is argued, S
pecific characteristics of action research are explained and illustrat
ed with examples from diverse areas of professional psychology. Implic
ations for professional knowledge, research, training, and practice ar
e discussed. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.