COMPEL Glossary / action-research
Action Research
Action research is a cyclical research methodology where practitioners simultaneously study and improve their own professional practice by iterating through cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting.
What this means in practice
Unlike traditional academic research that studies subjects from the outside, action research positions the practitioner as both researcher and participant in the change process. In COMPEL, action research is foundational to the Learn stage and to methodology evolution at the AITGP level (Module 3.5), where experienced consultants use their real-world engagement experiences to generate new insights, refine methodological practices, and contribute to the COMPEL Body of Knowledge. This approach ensures that the COMPEL methodology evolves based on grounded, practice-based evidence rather than abstract theorizing.
Why it matters
Traditional top-down research often fails to capture the messy realities of organizational AI transformation. Action research bridges theory and practice by positioning practitioners as active participants in generating new knowledge. Organizations benefit because improvements are tested and refined in real-world conditions, producing solutions that are practical and contextually relevant rather than theoretically elegant but operationally impractical.
How COMPEL uses it
Action research is foundational to the Learn stage, where engagement experiences generate insights that refine COMPEL methodology. At the AITGP level, practitioners use action research cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting to contribute to the COMPEL Body of Knowledge. This ensures the framework evolves based on grounded, practice-based evidence from real engagements rather than abstract theorizing.
Related Terms
Other glossary terms mentioned in this entry's definition and context.