Achieving legitimacy for your work is about learning how to get it accepted in the public domain. Then, once accepted, on how to promote and disseminate it so that others can learn.
It is important on being clear on the significance of your work you re sharing.
The significance of your work
By doing action research we demonstrate competence in the field and that we are capable practitioners. We can show that we have an extensive subject knowledge, skill knowledge and personal knowledge. We help others and ourselves to learn.
Other researches say that "professionalism is grounded in understandings". We explain what we are doing, and help others to do it too. We also exercise the right to express ourselves. We all have something to say.
Through our knowledge we can support organisational understandings of subjects and experience of doing the research, collaborating with others. Reflection and critical thinking are also important. We are challenging the ways of working. We encourage social change.
There are differences between conventional theories and practice-based theories.
Conventional theories explain relationships between concepts and establishing the cause and effect scenario. We come to conclusions about these relationships, make statements about them and create theory that comes to public domain.
In practice-based research, the theory can be applied is circumstances similar in situations in practice based research. This is called the "scientific method".
There is no correct way of doing research and there os no only one way of thinking. This is important to consider when doing our research. Human experience is spontaneous, creative, unpredictable, uncontrollable and often incomprehensible.
Traditional theories may be inadequate for understanding and explaining concepts. New theories are needed.
Practice-based theories define and explain what the researches are doing. This way, we can generate personal and collective knowledge.
Issues may arise in the validation process. In practice-based research the theory is based on observations and verbal statements. It is tested when it can be experienced based on learning and growth. It is validated when the learning and growth is agreed. The validity of the theories is based on other people's experience. We have to present evidence that we have encouraged other's learning.
Our personal theories manifest themselves with relationships with other people. It provides an opportunity for engagement. There are uncertainties and we are being opened to never-ending learning.
The theories are not those that need challenging, but the creators of those theories. We therefore engage in publications. It is our responsibility on learning how to write and publish.
Disseminating the work
The purpose of sharing our work is to allow people to learn, understand and apply in their situations. We can share work with people in our workplace or people in wider concepts.
Some people might truly appreciate the value of what you are doing. At work, it might be important to share your work in memos or meetings. This would encourage the culture of learning.
We also need let people outside of our workplace about our research. Newsletters and discussion groups might be a good place to start. If there is no an existing network, we might simply start one. Bring people together to create collaborative learning.
Make your work public in as many venues as possible. Go to conferences, raise your profile as researcher. Meet other researches from other institutions. Take your notebook everywhere and write down keywords from lectures and presentations.
We also need to learn how to write papers. We need to spend time drafting and re-drafting them.
Presenting papers is also important. Organise your material, think about new ideas, use technology, respond to questions, model yourself on the best.
You can raise your profile by attending conferences. It can boost your morale and provide support to others.
Your paper must be high quality to be accepted. Aim to write a good abstract.
When presenting your paper, present it with confidence. Never read the paper. Summarise the key points and prepare a Power Point presentation. Keep on track and speak spontaneously about the key concepts. Make effort to organise your presentation beforehand. Produce handouts for distribution. Stay relaxed and businesslike. Be honest and engage others.
Be confident around the technology and ensure it works. If technology fails, be cheerful and focused.
Let people know you will answer their questions. If someone asks question while you are speaking, answer briefly and do not loose track. Don't be intimidated.
If you are organising webinars, those need a lot of preparation.
Getting published
Being a good writer and getting published requires little talent and a huge amount of work. It requires countless hours of draft writing and revising until we have something others want to read. Do not let anything stop you from publishing your work.
There rules of getting published are:
1) be clear about your market, and
2) write for the market.
We need to know what we want to say, why, how and who we want to say it to. It is also about what the market stand and wants to know.
Read as many published words as possible about your topic from journals. See what people write about it and why they write it.
Most papers and proposals are sent to reviewers and their comments then come back to authors. Be prepared to revise your work in light of their comments.
When writing books we need to target the market. Once you have a good idea about your book, write a proposal and send to the publisher in line with their rules. It might be helpful to add some sample writing. Remember that editors are bombarded with proposals, budgets are limited and publishing is competitive. Tell people why your book is special and why people must read it.
Producing a book requires substantial work or drafting and revising. This can take years. But once it is published, there is nothing quite thrilling to see it published. You have made a positive contribution to the world.
Bibliography
McNiff J 2016 You and your action research project. London ; New York : Routledge; Fourth edition.
Collis J & Hussey R 2014 Business Research A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Hampshire UK; Palgrave Macmillan;
Fourth Edition
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