Qualitative Methods in Transport Research: The ‘Action Research’ Approach

Abstract

This paper explores the potential of 'action research' as transport survey method, with particular emphasis on critically assessing its utility in the resolution of major transport policy challenges, such as the mitigation of climate change and environmental impacts, transport-related social exclusion and intergenerational equity issues. Although not particularly novel within the social sciences, it is an approach that has been largely overlooked within the field of transport studies to date.Action research has a long history within the social sciences, dating back to practical problems in wartime situations in Europe and the United States (Reason and McArdle, 2004). It has only recently emerged within the literature as a transport survey method (e.g. Uteng, 2009;Porter et al., 2010). The method is specifically designed to support and actively engineer behaviour change as an integral part of the research process (Robson, 2002). It is inherently collaborative, involving repeated knowledge interactions and exchanges between the researcher and the 'researched'. It can be applied at either the level of individuals, small groups and/or 'communities' and organisations, with the expressed aim of bringing together research inquiry and future policy or planned actions (ibid).The paper presents some practical examples of where action research has been used to illicit information about people's travel experiences and behaviours and asks whether, and in what way, these have achieved different outcomes from other qualitative transport survey methods. It seeks to identify the most appropriate contexts for action research and to explore the skills and techniques which researchers need to develop if they are to overcome some of the main criticisms of the method. It then evaluates some of the critical challenges of applying an action research approach and identifies potential ways for overcoming these. Finally, it discusses the key challenges which action researchers are likely to encounter in the analysis, presentation and dissemination of their action research 'data' and identifies some potential ways of overcoming these.This article is

Destabilising automobility? The emergent mobilities of generation Y

“…Qualitative research methods provide useful tools to examine the complexities of travel behaviour (Clifton & Handy, 2001). Thus qualitative research can aid understandings of the contextual factors, underlying motivations, as well as the 'hidden' norms, values, and attitudes that underpin travel habits and routines (Lucas, 2013). Together the researcher and the research participant actively examine how and why mobility practices exist, and came to be.…”

Modeling traveler experience for designing urban mobility systems

“…The cyclic nature of action research involving different research methods allowed this research to evolve, through 18 months, from a conceptual framework based only on desk research and interviews to a structured conceptual model supplied with insights from interviews and observations ( Figure 1). Lucas (2013) states that action research is an effective way to promote technological innovation and social learning and is therefore relevant for urban mobility issues. Being inherently collaborative, involving repeated knowledge interactions and exchanges between the researcher and the object of research, action research narrows the gap between urban mobility models and the actual vision of travelers.…”

“…These mobility patterns (Gonzalez, Hidalgo & Barabasi 2008), superimposed on actual city maps and sociodemographic data, attitudes, preferences, etc. (Lucas 2013), can explain some of the collective travelers' behaviors (e.g. reasons underlying traveler distributions within a geographical area).…”

A theories of practice perspective in understanding barriers to sustainable commuting: The case of United Arab Emirates

“…As this study attempts to “understand people's motivations and views about complex issues such as emissions and travel mode choice, where we lack sufficient understanding to know exactly what ought to be measured quantitatively, qualitative methods can provide novel insights to guide future research” (Thomas, Walker, & Musselwhite, :73). Qualitative research allows for in‐depth exploration of contextual factors and underlying motivations that lie behind “unthinking” routines (Lucas, ; Schwanen et al, , ). Our aim was to reveal the richness of the interconnectedness between meanings, materials, and competencies that influence the practice of daily commute in an urban setting.…”