1. What is action research and how does it differ from traditional research? (5 marks) - Action research is a type of research that involves practitioners in identifying and solving problems in their own practice, while also generating new knowledge and improving their skills. Traditional research, on the other hand, is more focused on testing hypotheses and generalizing findings to other contexts, without necessarily involving the practitioners themselves. (5 marks) 2. What are the four main phases of action research? (4 marks) - The four main phases of action research are: planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. In the planning phase, the practitioners identify a problem or issue in their practice and formulate a plan to address it. In the acting phase, they implement the plan and collect data on the outcomes. In the observing phase, they analyze the data and evaluate the results. In the reflecting phase, they draw conclusions and recommendations for future action. (4 marks) 3. What are some benefits of action research for nursing practice? (6 marks) - Some benefits of action research for nursing practice are: it can improve the quality of care and patient outcomes, it can enhance the professional development and empowerment of nurses, it can foster collaboration and communication among nurses and other stakeholders, it can increase the relevance and applicability of research findings to practice, and it can contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge and theory. (6 marks) 4. What are some challenges or limitations of action research for nursing practice? (5 marks) - Some challenges or limitations of action research for nursing practice are: it can be time-consuming and demanding for busy practitioners, it can require ethical approval and informed consent from patients and others involved, it can face resistance or skepticism from some colleagues or managers who may not value or support it, it can be difficult to generalize or transfer the findings to other settings or situations, and it can raise ethical or political issues if the findings challenge existing policies or practices. (5 marks) 5. What are some criteria for evaluating the quality and rigor of action research? (10 marks) - Some criteria for evaluating the quality and rigor of action research are: credibility, which refers to how well the findings reflect the reality of the participants; transferability, which refers to how well the findings can be applied to other contexts or groups; dependability, which refers to how consistent and reliable the findings are; confirmability, which refers to how objective and unbiased the findings are; authenticity, which refers to how well the findings capture the diversity and complexity of the participants' experiences; and impact, which refers to how well the findings lead to positive changes in practice or policy. (10 marks)