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.