Action Research as a Culturally Open System: Infusing East Asian Epistemology Into Action Research Initiatives

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Action Research Posters: Many Ways to Learn About Practice

Abstract

Action research often involves dealing with different values and perspectives in complex real life situations. This can create “gridlocks” among those who possess different value systems on the practice improvement. This presentation proposes that the key to overcoming this issue is to make action research a culturally open system. In doing so, we discuss a series of action research initiatives that we have carried out using East Asian epistemology (ba) as the conceptual framework. Transformative processes that took place at three levels are discussed using the East Asian concept. Finally, participants are invited to consider how it is possible to make their action research a culturally open system in their own contexts.

Authors

• Noriyuki Inoue, University of San Diego

• Lonnie L. Rowell, University of San Diego