Improvement and transfer of practice-directed knowledge

In this paper, we propose a method of working that aims to explicitly organize action research and consultancy activities. Principles of action research are discussed and comparisons are made with practice-directed research in general, particularly Argyris’ idea of an action science. The main feature of our proposal is a distinction between implementation (the how to or organization of an intervention) and justification (the why or plausibility of the intended effect occuring). Some simple rules are proposed to register and use these two aspects (which we label modules) to improve and disseminate practice-directed knowledge. The method is illustrated by an intervention in socio-technical re-designing.