Round and round we go: an ‘action’ ride on the rehearsing and performing cycle

This article discusses the use of action research cycles on a course involving groupwork rehearsing and performance. The aim was to explore various pedagogic aspects of the activities and improve tutor practice. This account of four action research spirals, taking place over a ten year period of rehearsing and performing, considers their management and operation including activities, interventions, data collection, reflection and re-planning. Conducting action research spirals of this length can raise issues about combining the roles of tutor and researcher, balancing action and reflection, and managing an extensive and varied data corpus. Employing several cycles in an action research inquiry however, allows the retracing of previous interventions, and a fine-tuning of the process. A spiral of cycles, incorporating interventions, together with informal and structured reflection, can be effective in improving practice and adding strength and depth to the inquiry. This study also offers a contribution towards filling the gap in the literature on cyclical action research studies found by Cain (2008) in his review for this journal.