The effectiveness of action research as an organisational change process for improving Indigenous completion rates in mainstream VET

Abstract

Action research is a collective form of enquiry that is both a recognised research methodology and a change process. As an organisational change process, action research encourages a collective approach to problem definition, action planning, taking action and reflection. In recent times, action research has been enjoying a wave of popularity as a change process in educational institutions and other organisations. This paper draws on a recently completed NCVER funded project that investigated the effectiveness of action research in changing VET provider practices in order to improve Indigenous completion rates. Action research was used over a twelve-month period by a team in each of four TAFE institutes. The experience of action research was new to all team members except for the team facilitators. As a process by which colleagues learn better ways of thinking, interacting and working, the approach implemented in this context proved to have limitations as well as strengths. The paper describes the model, its outcomes, and the factors that impacted on its effectiveness.