Validity & Ethical Concerns

Validity and ethical concerns are a critical element of any research, and in particular in action research. The proximity to the research community and the embeddedness therein, require the researcher to proactively plan for and stay aware of validity and ethical considerations.

4.4.1 Validity

Validity is a particularly contentious and thus important consideration in action research. Common concerns about validity in action research include the study’s transferability, credibility, and trustworthiness (Coghlan & Brydon-Miller 2014). Moreover, the aforementioned critique about the proximity of action research to consulting, make it more important than ever in business action research to consider the validity (Eriksson & Kovalainen 2008h).

Coghlan and Brydon-Miller (2014) identify five types of action research-specific validity, which are summarized in Appendix H. While it may be quite difficult to achieve or prove the same level of replicability as a quantitative research study for example, what is most important in action research validity is the real-world relevance. According to the authors, first catalytic validity produces change or transformation. Second outcome validity leads to action. Third process validity helps achieve goals by the use of appropriate processes and tools. Fourth, dialogic validity leads to critical discussion between stakeholders. Fifth, democratic validity enables collaborative stakeholder involvement. (Coghlan & Brydon-Miller 2014)

There are six steps that Eriksson and Kovalainen (2008h) recommend to increase the validity of action research. First, they recommend an explicit statement by the researcher on their role and aims for the researcher. Second, justifying the need for action research is encouraged. Third, they suggest distinctly outlining the goals of the research project. Fourth, they encourage explicitly disclosing the researcher’s interpretations and opinions, and the effect this had on the research. Fifth, the authors propose detailing the action interventions, change processes, and subsequent learnings throughout the project. Sixth and finally, they recommend acknowledging the complexity of the action research and subsequent intended and unintended consequences. (Eriksson & Kovalainen 2008h)

4.4.2 Ethical Considerations

Part spy, part voyeur, part fan, and part member... (van Maanen 1988)

Van Maanen’s (1988) description of the role of the ethnographic researcher above provides an accurate and visceral description of the role of researcher in this study. It is especially fitting when considering the ethical elements of the many roles played by the researcher: master’s thesis researcher, service design intern, strategist, facilitator, supporter, collaborator, partner, coach, and coordinator at Inland (Eriksson and Kovalainen 2008h). Based on the proximity in this research to immigrants, and work that impacts individuals at such a critical life stage, it is imperative to pay close attention to ethical concerns with all individuals involved in this research. Borrowing and adapting from Murphy and Dingwall (2001), the following ethical guidelines are employed for this research:

 Non-Maleficence: Do no harm  Beneficence: Do some positive good

 Autonomy & Self-determination: Respect the values and desires of research participants

 Justice: Treat people equally

Specifically, where interviews are involved, the following ethical guidelines prevail:  Ensure participation in this research is on a voluntary basis

 Gain informed consent & use consent forms

 Ensure all participants have the option to protect their identities

 Set proper expectations with all interviewees about the recording and use of interview data

 Inform all participants that they can stop an interview at any time, not answer a question for any reason, as well as withdraw their participation at any time, for any reason

As it pertains to action research and the role of being a participant observer inside an organization, one of the most important ethical considerations is ensuring there is voluntary and informed consent (Eriksson & Kovalainen 2008c). The researcher must be very clear about the ethical ramifications of how, with whom, and to what extent they seek explicit consent. For this research study, the researcher is officially hired for a Master’s Thesis position inside Migri, and thus theoretically the role of a researcher is transparent. However, that does not necessarily mean that any and every individual she comes into contact with volunteers or concedes to be studied. Thus, for this research, data is only used from interactions with the Inland team and managers, official interviews, and casual discussions where it is made clear in advance the role as a master’s thesis researcher. Observations are note used or collected from explicitly or implicitly confidential conversations, social interactions, or interactions entirely out of scope for this research. However, as an action

researcher, it is important to acknowledge the indirect effect these “out of scope” observations have on potentially influencing observations and analysis indirectly.

When it comes to data collected via site documents, it is important to gain explicit approval from the researcher’s supervisor to use any document that is not public knowledge, as per Eriksson and Kovalainen (2008f). For this research study, the paid position inside Migri makes for a position of privileged information, having access to documents and details while working in Inland, and thus it is even more important to ensure permission is granted for everything that is not publicly available.

Another critical ethical element for consideration in this research is addressing the inherent bias in the research. Susman and Evered (1978) say it well that, “The researcher is necessarily a part of the data he or she helps generate.” Subsequently, it is essential to acknowledge the role the researcher plays in the data generated, and their inherent impartiality. In order to address this, one needs to acknowledge it, but also create strategies to avoid it.

5 Strategic Action