Action research literature

Recent action research books are reviewed. I give attention to books on appreciative inquiry, action science, systems approaches and action learning. Community, health, education and organizational applications are included. Major action research journals are noted. Based on this literature I identify a number of current trends: the growth of action research and especially appreciative inquiry; an increasing sense of community among action researchers; and growing attention to the practical details of participation and involvement. I question the absence of more material on building theory from action research, and on action research and complexity.