
Systemic action research
A strategy for whole system change
Danny Burns(Author)
Policy Press
1st Edition
Published on 24. October 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-86134-737-4 (ISBN)
Description
Systemic Action Research works with real social and organisational issues to uncover their complex dynamics, often revealing unexpected opportunities. This book shows how this process can be integrated, in any context, to the process of social and organisational development and change. The book explains how systemic thinking works and how Systemic Action Research can be embedded into organisational structures and processes to catalyse sustainable change and critical local interventions. Practically written, it details how to design a programme and build it directly into policy and practice development, extending the possibilities of action research beyond the 'individual' and the 'group' to work across whole organisations, multi agency governance arenas, and networks. The book is filled with illustrative stories and pictures which bring the concepts to life enabling the reader to develop a clear picture of how to put it into practice.Systemic Action Research programmes are now being adopted in Government and local governance contexts as well as in national and international NGOs. This book will be invaluable for experienced action researchers as well as social science and social policy researchers who will benefit from an approach to qualitative research which is participative, grounded in practice and allows systemic understandings of complex problems. Policy makers and practitioners will appreciate a process which generates meaningful evidence about the dynamics of change and offers a tangible system for continuously integrating that learning into both formal and informal decision-making.
Reviews / Votes
MORE TESTIMONIALS IN REVIEWS "If one is wondering if yet another book on action research is worth reading or buying, I recommend this one". David Coghlan in Action Learning "I strongly recommend this book". John Diamond in ARVAC Bulletin "Two decades on from Robert Chamber's epic "Rural Development, Putting the Last First", this book is a milestone in development thinking." Stuart Worsley, Director of SNV Kenya and Southern Sudan - The Netherlands Development Organisation "This is an excellent and long overdue contribution to the action research literature which emphasises a holistic approach to intervention. Written in a compelling style, this book bridges the gap between small-scale, local research and the bigger collective potential that action research has as a movement for change ... an important contribution for all those working towards social transformation." Professor Margaret Ledwith, University of Cumbria and Co-ordinator of the International Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN) "Danny Burns does a service to the contemporary action research field with this clear and accessibly argued discussion of sophisticated 'whole systems' facilitation. In explicating the kinds of complexity we are now experiencing, the book takes the discussion to a next level." Professor Yoland Wadsworth, University of Melbourne and President of the International Association for Action Learning, Action Research and Process Management (2001-2004)More details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 170 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
359 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-86134-737-4 (9781861347374)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
10/2007
1st Edition
Policy Press
€102.70
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
10/2007
1st Edition
Policy Press
€116.09
Available for download
Person
Danny Burns is Professor of Social and Organisational Learning at the University of the West of England.
Content
Contents: Why action research?; Historical and theoretical perspectives on large system action research; Action research as ...; Methods and techniques; The Bristol Children's Initiative Project: a case study of large systems work; Methodological issues in large scale action research; Issues for action researchers; Designing large scale action research projects; The potential of large scale action research for organisational and community transformation.