Table of Contents

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.

About the Author

Danny Burns is Professor of Social and Organisational Learning at the University of the West of England.

Reviews

"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 & Process Management (2001-2004)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)"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