A Foundation Correspondence on Action Research: Ronald Lippitt and John Collier
Bill Cooke
Abstract
A substantial part of this paper is not written by the author, but consists of a correspondence between Ronald Lippitt and John Collier about action research. Lippitt is recognized as a close associate of the supposed inventor of action research, Kurt Lewin. Collier was Commissioner for the US Bureau of Indian Affairs 1933 - 1945, and architect of the "Indian New Deal"; and he too played a role in the invention of action research. Indeed his early action research projects predated similar work by Lewin, with whom Collier collaborated, although this is rarely acknowledged. Lewin himself famously wrote very little about action research. This correspondence followed shortly after Lewin's death, so has slightly later than contemporary significance. Its significance, as of 2002 can be seen four areas. First, there is a discussion of the role of science and the scientist in action research. Second there is a debate around the role of the scientist action researcher as social activist. Third there is the question of whether the purpose of action research is to achieve content or process goals. Fourth there is a consideration of the strategic and tactical consequences for the action researcher/action research institute of adopting/not adopting the scientist identity. These are all current concerns for action research; this article shows how they have been from its start. In the correspondence Collier argues against the action researcher as value free process only technocratic expert; however those who sympathise with this position will find a sting in the tail.
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