Action Research in a World of Positivist-Oriented Review Boards

Abstract

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) were created with positivistic research designs in mind, making the review process unsuited for most research efforts characterized as action research (AR). With the possibility that more IRBs will be created and that the definition of research will be expanded, certain types of research that falls under the umbrella of AR will be scrutinized. Specifically, the difficulty is for action research characterized by focus group or participatory research settings. The issues examined by the IRB such as voluntary participation, confidentiality, and risk to the participant are debatable for action research and need to be negotiated or perhaps reconsidered. Unless these issues are resolved, researchers may be reluctant to use this model in the future and AR will be marginalized. Recommendations are made to guide future efforts.