Action Research in Austria: a review

Abstract

The introduction to this article offers some tentative interpretations of the increase of reflectivity in scientific development and places action research in this tradition. Two versions of action research emerged: the relatively short-lived ‘Handlungsforschung’ in Germany and ‘Aktionsforschung’ in Austria. Stimuli and support for the latter version came from England, primarily from John Elliott and Lawrence Stenhouse. A number of influential courses and research programmes resulted from this cooperation. The most recent development is a national policy of quality evaluation in schools which is inspired by the action research philosophy.