Integrating action research (integrating many theories and many methods)

Integrating action research is presented in the new research methods textbook:
Wheeldon, J. & Ahlberg, M. 2011 Visualizing Social Science Research: Maps, Methods, & Meaning. London: SAGE. (ISBN: 9781412991049).
(1) http://www.uk.sagepub.com/books/Book235388
(2) http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Awheeldon%20ahlberg&page=1

My approach to action research is based on my theories of Education for Sustainable Development, Integrating Education, Continual Quality Improvement and High Quality Learning (Åhlberg 1997, 1998a - 1998c, Åhlberg & Ahoranta 2002, Äänismaa 2002 . The basic idea is to integrate relevant parts of the best theories and best practices, which form a coherent whole. Then plan, implement and evaluate series of design experiments to test both our theories and practices both theoretically and empirically, and by that way continually both monitor and improve teaching-studying-learning processes. What is new that we prefer to collect both qualitative and quantitative data as integrated parts of the teaching-studying-learning processes. We prefer those kinds of data collection methods which at the same time promote student learning and thinking, e.g improved concept maps and improved Vee heuristics (Åhlberg 1997, 1998a - 1998c, Åhlberg & Ahoranta 2002, Äänismaa 2002).

I have developed three new quality tools (Improved Concept Mapping, Improved Vee Heuristics and ARRA or Analysis of Reasoning, Rhetorics and Argumentation ) to promote integrating action research.

References:

Äänismaa, P. 2002. Ympäristökasvatusta kehittämässä kotitalousopettajien koulutuksessa. PhD Dissertation. University of Joensuu. Publications in Education 74.

Åhlberg, M. 1997. Jatkuva laadunparantaminen korkealaatuisena oppimisena. (Continual Quality Improvement as High Quality Learning) University of Joensuu. Research Reports of the Faculty of Education N:o 68.

Åhlberg, M. 1998a. Kestävän kehityksen pedagogiikka ja yleisdidaktiikka. University of Joensuu. Bulletins of the Faculty of Education. N:o 71.

Åhlberg, M. 1998b. Ecopedagogy and ecodidactics: Education for Sustainable Development, Good Environment and Good Life. University of Joensuu. Bulletins of the Faculty of Education. N:o 69.

Åhlberg, M. 1998c. Education for sustainability, good environment and good life. In Åhlberg, M. & Leal Filho, W. (Eds.) 1998. Environmental education for sustainability: good environment, good life. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 25 - 43.

Åhlberg, M. & Ahoranta, V. 2002. Two improved educational theory based tools to monitor and promote quality of geographical education and learning. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education 11(2), 119 - 137.

Wheeldon, J. & Ahlberg, M. 2011 Visualizing Social Science Research: Maps, Methods, & Meaning. London: SAGE. (ISBN: 9781412991049)