Writing and Doing Action Research

The leading expert in practitioner research, Jean McNiff ensures that the practice of writing, as well as the practice of research, is beautifully revealed.
-- Professor Julian Stern
In this accessible and inspiring book Jean McNiff draws on a lifetime′s experience of working on collaborative action research projects around the world in many different institutional settings and professional contexts. Writing and Doing Action Research provides a clear and staged introduction to action research methodology and offers sound advice on writing for publication and dissemination. While grounded in the relevant methodological literature it speaks directly and with passion to its readership. Students and practitioners alike will find this an invaluable resource. 
-- Jon Nixon

The book is a useful addition for those completing masters or doctoral degrees, and early career researchers. It is also a useful text for those who

are encountering research, and specifically action research, for the first time to support the emergent researcher to develop academic and writing skills congruent with authenticity and beliefs. However, it is also an important social research text as it reminds us of the power for transformation and change through academic writing.

-- Maureen McGinty, Plymouth University
By the end of the introduction, I had been won over by the author’s assertion that I should "be confident to contribute to human and planetary well-being through dialogue", somewhat comforted by the romantic view of myself as an "activist writer". By the final page, I am convinced that it is time to take the first steps down the "tough road" of sufficient self-education to re-engage and start writing about my practice. This book is both a valuable resource for the action researcher and a call to action for the practitioner: whatever your practice, start writing and doing action research. -- Genevieve Cother
This is an excellent reminder of how we relationally learn. We cannot assume theory before practice and as insiders we still have to be careful of how we portray our results. This book helps keep the balance within the empirical research methods between theory and practice.
Examples and exercises proliferate and I just hope students - and lecturers- can make time to work at them! -- Dr Anne Dyer * drupal *
A useful step-by-step guide to doing action research and to disseminating findings. -- Dr Ansurie Pillay * drupal *
This is more about writing than about doing action research. It is therefore less useful to my students, who need more guidance on how to engage in research than how to write. -- Dr Bonnie Meekums * drupal *
Suitable for those students who aspire for a deeper understanding of research methodology. -- Dr Joseph Vella * drupal *
Interesting book. More for the students and staff members who are going to do action research -- Dr Koen Kooy * drupal *
This book is an essential reading for students in Master′s programmes. McNiff does not only answer the question on what a reader needs to know about the practice of writing but also on the practice of doing action research. The book informs the reader about the research writing process and how to write a proposal, theses and dissertation. It also gives valuable insights into the writing for publications (academic books and journals). All in all, I recommend this book to students in the Master′s course ′Academic and Professional Writing′ as essential reading. -- Dr Maik Arnold * drupal *
This is a very practical approach to Action Research. It has very useful tips particularly for masters level students. -- Dr Mary Casey * drupal *
A must for doctoral students and academics interested in developing their writing skills. I found the book to be very engaging and one that I know I will turn to for advice for students and for myself. -- Dr Richard Whitecross * drupal *
This book covers the required areas in sufficient detail to assist our students in the processes of completing action research. Good layout and topics. -- Emerick Kaitell * drupal *
This book is easy to read and to understand - and even motivates the reader. The good structure and simple design contribute to the pleasure it makes to read it. I can recommend this book to, for example, master students who want to report their research. -- Miss Christine Flassbeck * drupal *
Another very comprehensive guide to AR. The ′writing′ sections are not as useful for MA Education students as the ′doing′ sections, but I would recommend as a supplemental text for keen students. -- Miss Christine Lewis * drupal *
A useful introduction to action research. -- Mr Alistair Jewell * drupal *
This book will help our trainees with the starting point of their action research and guide them through the process. -- Mr Dale Munday * drupal *
This appears to be a useful book, especially since it relates to post graduate work. It will be useful for a number of our courses where we ask students to undertake action research. -- Mr Ian Durrant * drupal *
A quite interesting book with a bunch full of fresh ideas.

I really enjoyed reading through it and got some nice new insights which will help me in improve my own research as well. I′m sure, it will also help my students to better understand how to structure their own writings for my classes. -- Mr Matthias Schu * drupal *
This is an excellent book on Action Research. Following on from her collaboration with Jack Whitehead in the ′Action Research Living Theory′ (published by sage and an essential buy), this takes the methodological concept to the next level. It is considerably more advanced yet is so easy to read and use as a reference/guide book. It covers all aspects of Action Research including the aspects that are often criticised with this form of research, such as applying rigour and quality and adding criticality to the findings. There are really useful excerpts from a vast range of projects to help the reader contextualise better to their own research setting. This book is a must for anyone doing action research for their academic studies. Professor Jean McNiff demonstrates that she is an important voice in the Action Research philosophy. -- Mr Shane Payne * drupal *
A key text with an emphasis on writing action research -- Mr Steve Watts * drupal *
This is an informative book. I particularly like the use of the summary section at the end and also the reflective questions. This I feel allows the student (reader) to apply theory to practice.

-- Mrs Adele Nightingale * drupal *
More suited to MA students -- Mrs Cheryl Cameron * drupal *
Set out in an easy to read format. -- Mrs Dawn Burnham * drupal *
Not suitable for undergraduates at this stage -- Mrs Kate Duffy * drupal *
I found the book so useful. I could easily select and apply the appropriate research processes of formulating a research proposal.

Thanks to Jean McNiff and SAGE -- Mrs Mpho Mbeo * drupal *
A useful additional text regarding action research written in an accessible style -- Mrs Sarah Hindmarsh * drupal *
I love this book. It provides an accessible and practical approach to writing about action research. So many other books focus on the process of conducting action research - this one helps us explore how to share our research with others.
I will be referring to it regularly over the next year or so as I continue to write up my PhD thesis. -- Mrs Tracy Hayes * drupal *
An essential read for our trainee teachers who undertake action research at both under and post graduate level.
An accessible text that de-mystifies the research world to the novice researcher. -- Ms Clare Winder * drupal *
It appears to be more useful for those who want to publish rather than for those who want to carry out beginning action research. This is the ultimate goal for students but they are not there yet! Jean′s advice as always is straightforward and useful. -- Ms Dionne Ross * drupal *
This book provides a good guide to an Action Research explorer for both doing and writing up processes; from the proposal, through dissertation to text planning and writing. Truly recommended for students and academics with interest in Action research. -- Ms Emma Etuk * drupal *
A very useful book discussing how to do action research in a setting. It generates discussion questions and issues to reflect upon while still offering a practical approach to how to carry out good action research. -- Ms Joanna Harrison * drupal *
Useful background information may be relevant for MA/post grad s as a supplementary text -- Ms Karen Hillison * drupal *
This is good easy to read book, suitable for beginners in research. It provides A-Z processes in research for those exploring the meaning and how to go about doing research. -- Professor Simphiwe Mini * drupal *
This is an excellent, practical guide for doing action research! Furthermore, the guidance on how to produce good quality writing makes this a valuable source for students who are still developing academic writers. -- Professor Susan Coetzee * drupal *
An essential text to support practitioner research -- Sasha Pleasance * drupal *