Action research

The plan comprised brainstorming session where the researcher had to meet with other researchers so as to form a partnership and hold discussion so as to gain insight on how to realize the solution to an issue. There are several activities that needed to be performed before, during and after the discussion, activities which had to get planned thoroughly. Being a critical element of developing ideas within organization setting, discussion needed to be planned by all the key researchers, and the supervisors who monitored our activities.

Before the brainstorming began, I planned to meet with fellow colleagues, create relations and get to know each other as well as our personalities. I had to introduce myself, where I come from and my skills and area of specialization. Since I had to work with persons from other professions that were different from mine, I had to plan on how we could work together so as to share knowledge from different disciplines. The plan also included finding teams that we could work together in a coordinated manner. I planned to adhere to the action research principles concerning the selection of persons to work with during the entire process (W. J. Bonny, personal communication, July 17, 2016). I also planned on the schedule of conducting activities. The schedule comprised of the tasks that shall be performed during the entire brainstorming period.

The plan for during the research process comprised identifying the brainstorming approaches that shall be used. I planned to gather the findings from various sources such as the experts, supervisors, and other colleagues. The plan also included splitting up our team so that we could define how we could tackle issues separately before merging again and discussing the progress. I planned on meeting with the supervisors so as to gain an insight of the organization’s rules and regulations that needed to be followed. Besides, I planned on how we could dissolve the team after the end of the brainstorming process. The plan finalized by deciding on the analysis techniques after the end of the session.

Action

The action phase comprised transforming the planning activities into actions. Before the actual brainstorming, I got introduced to various personnel and stakeholders within the organization, with whom we interacted and knew each other. Besides, since there were other action researchers who had a purpose of developing useful ideas that could be used to move the company in the forward direction, I had to interact with them as well (I. P. Raphael, personal communication, August 07, 2016). An orientation party was set up by the organization where we shared drinks together as we awaited the next process of actual brainstorming. Having known others’ personalities and traits, we then formed teams based on the principles of action research. We got informed concerning how we were to act during the teamwork process.

Together with the team members, we then developed a schedule that defined the allocation of tasks. The work schedule also constituted an allocation of duties to each of the members or subgroups that we developed out of the major team. Later on, we discussed the brainstorming approaches that we could use in the actual brainstorming process. We were focused on achieving better ideas concerning database issues within the organization and therefore we were prepared to identify the best strategies.

The supervisors who were commissioned to guide us throughout the brainstorming process then called us all together and described the organization’s policies, rules and regulations that needed to be followed so as to be successful in our action research process. The supervisors then handed a copy of the document containing the policies and procedures and we then began the brainstorming. The discussion forum was conducted as per the schedule that was initially developed until when it was completed. A colleague was designated with secretarial work of writing down the minutes concerning the entire process. After the brainstorming, we shook hands and called off the meeting.

Observation

So many observations were made in the brainstorming process. At first, I observed that action research principles that I learned in the class were real in that they are applicable in real life. As a matter of fact, I realized that they adhered when forming teams of action researchers who would work together so as to bring out ideas on how solutions could be realized. For example, the individuals were expected to be hardworking and highly disciplined (Z. K. Andrew, personal communication, March 24, 2016). Besides, by defining the work and schedule, it showed that we were very serious in conducting the research. I observed that by creating a schedule, it would enable us to stick to our plan.

Another observation was that working within a team proved more fruitful as compared to when an individual researcher is involved. Besides, I also observed that the session became even livelier when we worked with colleagues from different disciplines. This is because we shared knowledge and skills thereby coming up with great results. I observed a lot from the actual brainstorming process as it was where we had to cooperate and think critically so as to produce better results. I observed that teamwork plays a great role in action research, and it becomes more successful whenever persons who make up the team share a common objective. I also observed that organization’s policy documents play a critical role in shaping the discipline and morals. Since we were commissioned to complete the work and achieve results, we had to work in cooperation with each other and decide on the best ways of finding solutions. I also observed that the brainstorming activity was very important as it provides room for interaction and sharing of ideas. At the end of the session, I observed that I had learned so much from the activities that were performed during the entire process.

Reflection

The entire brainstorming process was so tough; however, I drew a lot of great and positive things from it as compared to negativities. On the part of positive realizations, I was able to meet and interact with other professionals within the industry. Social relations within a workplace is very critical as it improves productivity among employees and researchers. I also realized that the formulation of well-defined objectives that need to be met is very critical as it directs the researchers into doing what they have been assigned to do (M. N. Timothy, personal communication, April 02, 2016). The objective of the action research encompassed identifying ideas for solving the organization’s problems in database systems.

Having developed a schedule, we were able to establish when the brainstorming would stop, and the objectives that we intended to achieve were in place. I realized that organization’s policies and regulations are documents that are not worth joking about. This is because, failure to meet the required guidelines would lead to termination, termination of research and most likely, the management would issue a letter indicating that they are not satisfied with a person’s service. I also realized that discipline is very important, not only in research but also in every place where I socialize as my discipline reflects my capabilities as well. I had to maintain high discipline and hard work during the entire process.

My dissatisfaction was realized when I could not be able to participate fully. Having just left college for action research, I passed through a hard time understanding other colleagues as well as their humor. However, after some time I realized that communication is very important in every person. With good communication and understanding of the setting, no road block shall prevent anyone from achieving personal goals.  

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at Melda Research in nursing paper writing services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for medical essay writing service online.