Action Research Based Instructional Design Improvements

The introduction of a new instructional design method can be a tedious and complicated process, and a new method must be tested thoroughly before it can be determined if it works properly. In this article we are studying the use of action research when a new instructional design method is implemented and tested in the target organization. The background for this work is a new method for the design of customized corporate e-learning. The method is developed and described in advance, and the purpose of this article is to focus on the organizational introduction by using the principles of canonical action research. We explain how the action research was conducted based on the principles of: (1) researcher-client agreement, (2) cyclical process model, (3) theory, (4) change through action, and (5) learning through reflection. Then we discuss the implementation followed by a conclusion and some suggestions regarding future action research projects and some thoughts regarding further work to improve the e-learning design method under development.