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Action Research As Empowering Practice, Kathryn Herr

Department of Educational Foundations Scholarship and Creative Works

There is a large debate in the social work literature regarding the gap between research and practice, with current research methodologies critiqued as potentially “blaming the victim” or decontextualizing the practice situation. This paper presents an alternative approach, utilizing action research to inform practice. Originally conceived of as a qualitative interview study, the manuscript traces the evolution of the worker, a teacher and high school students. The research itself addresses the issue of “What is it like to be a student of color here?” in a predominately white school environment. Students and adults conceptualize ways to work together for change …