Comments by John Schostak September 2003
The fundamental idea behind action research is that it should not impose upon others but seek to gain their co-operation in an atmosphere of mutual support. Beryl commented on the sense of 'worthwhileness' for the participants. This implies that the action researcher needs to ask her or his self: what do the participants get out of this process? why might they want to be involved?
This was very much the approach adopted in the 'Talking and Listening' Project that was directed by John Schostak with Charles Sarland as Senior Research Associate.