Reflections on ‘reflection’ in Action Research

There is wide agreement in the literature that “reflection” is a critical component of any good research, but certainly in the methodology of action research (AR). Despite consensus regarding its importance, this paper argues that there is little practical guidance for management researchers on how to carry out the process of reflection. The work is presented in the context of a case study of innovation in APC Ireland, a subsidiary of the critical power and cooling services division of the Schneider Electric Corporation. The study proposes to make a contribution by providing a questionnaire to assist the process of reflection in the course of AR cycles. The questionnaire provides a structured mechanism to assist both the practitioner and researcher. The instrument was developed from engagement with the psychology literature and it is suggested as a methodological plug-in to Davison et al’s Principles of Canonical Action Research