The Action Research Planner – Doing Critical Participatory Action Research

Abstract

The Action Research Planner by Stephen Kemmis, Robin McTaggart, and Rhonda Nixon is an insightful and comprehensive guide for researchers, educators, and professionals seeking to engage in critical participatory action research (CPAR). This updated edition retains the foundational strengths of the earlier works while expanding its theoretical scope and practical applications to align with contemporary educational and social contexts.

The book is structured around a step-by-step framework, taking readers from conceptualizing an action research project to implementing and evaluating it. Drawing from Jürgen Habermas’s concept of the public sphere and the idea of practice architectures, the authors emphasize collaboration, democratic participation, and critical reflection as cornerstones of effective action research.