Collaborative Action Research (CAR) uses research to critically examine current arrangements, make changes based on evidence and monitor the impact of those changes.
At its core, CAR should involve two or more organisations working together, to share ideas and perspectives, for the accomplishment of a shared goal.
In education, CAR can help to improve student learning and individual and wider professional practice, and combat professional isolation.
It has three steps:
- Defining the problem (what are we trying to accomplish?)
- Detailing the anticipated outcome (how will we know that a change is an improvement?)
- Developing sustainable models of change (what change can we then make that will result in improvement?)