title: Action research: changing nursing practice.
abstract: This article describes action research as a methodology and gives two examples of its application to nursing and health services research. Action research is cyclical in nature and involves the development, evaluation and redefining of an action plan using four basic steps: planning, action, observation and reflection. These cycles of action continue until the research group is satisfied that its objectives have been met. Data generation and analysis are iterative processes that occur continuously throughout the project, which is usually time-limited. Factors that should be taken into account to ensure success include: engaging the community, consideration of 'insider' versus 'outsider' perspectives, competing agendas, expectations not being met and the integrity of the research methodology.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Southern Queensland, School of Nursing, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Desley Gail
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Hegney
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Francis
mesh_terms: D006302:Health Services Research / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*; D009729:Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards
keywords: Action research; change; critical social inquiry; nursing research; participatory action research; research; research methodology