RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS - COLLABORATIVE ACTION RESEARCH IN NURSING

This methodological paper discusses and critiques the 'insider' and 'o utsider' models of action research described in the nursing literature . It highlights tensions and problems with these models and demonstrat es how the models developed by the authors - the 'double-act' and 'col laborative group' partnerships - overcome these difficulties. The succ ess of this approach suggests that such partnerships of nurse practiti oners and a researcher should be considered when practitioners want to introduce innovation and facilitate change in practice and generate a nd test theory which is relevant to practice. The paper is presented i n the form of a commentary, interspersed with reflective conversations in which the authors illustrate and reflect upon their attempts to ma ke the methodology described a reality.