Action research, change and methodological rigour.
AIM: To critically examine concepts of methodological rigour in action research and consider how these affect its capacity to enable change. KEY ISSUES: Action research is potentially attractive to managers of nursing because it is a problem-focused approach. As action research is identified as a continuum of definitions and philosophies rather than a single approach, caution is expressed that the search for definition may obscure the underlying process of change. Issues of reliability and validity are explored, suggesting that concern for methodological rigour may limit the potential for change and improvement in practice. Ethical issues in action research are considered identifying areas for tension between researchers, managers and practitioners. Some examples of action research in nursing are discussed. CONCLUSION: Action research may be valuable in individual practitioners' development or in fostering collaboration between academe and practice. However the demands for methodological rigour in research limit its effectiveness as a strategy for managing change.