Features of action research cycles – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, D and E correctly capture the spirit of action research, whereas C is false. Action research is usually conducted by practitioners such as teachers to solve local problems, and involves cycles of acting and reflecting on action. It aims at improving practice and can foster both professional development and institutional change, rather than at statistical generalisation to large populations. Statement C is wrong because generalisation is limited and context-specific.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes all four true statements while excluding C, which misrepresents the goal of action research. It reflects the practitioner-led, improvement-oriented and reflective nature of this approach.

Option B:
Option B omits E, thereby ignoring the broader impact of action research on professional growth and institutional learning, even though these are significant outcomes. This omission makes the option incomplete.

Option C:
Option C leaves out A, failing to highlight that the practitioner often functions as researcher in action research, which is a defining feature. Without A, the description is not fully accurate.

Option D:
Option D includes C, the false statement about statistical generalisation, and so cannot be considered correct despite containing other true statements.

Option E retains C and therefore also becomes invalid, as it wrongly suggests that action research necessarily aims at large-scale generalisation.