Is reflective practice synonymous with action research?

Abstract

This article discusses the similarities between theoretical conceptions of reflective practice and action research. In both, reflection on experience is seen as potentially transformative of the individuals and situations involved. Reflective practice can be seen as the specific application of experiential learning to activities carried out as part of one's profession or job. This experiential learning, with its emphasis on the improvement of practice through reflection on experience, involves the learner-practitioner in going through a sequence of actions indistinguishable from (at least some of) those of the action research spiral. Does this mean that reflective practice is, effectively, the same as action research? A negative answer is suggested by a consideration of the concept of strategic action. Strategic action is a deliberate and planned attempt to solve a particular problem or set of problems using a coherent, systematic and rigorous methodology. Action research, by definition, always involves such strategic action. By contrast, strategic action is not integral to reflective practice. Reflective practice can lead to strategic action, but this is not inevitable. Reflective practice can be a useful precursor to action research. It is not identical to it.