What best describes action research?

Action research is best described as a method for gathering employee feedback, which allows practitioners to investigate and understand organizational issues within a participatory framework. This approach involves actively engaging stakeholders, such as employees, in the research process to identify problems, generate insights, and collaboratively develop solutions.

By facilitating conversations and feedback from employees, action research creates an understanding of how different aspects of the organization impact performance and satisfaction. It emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation based on the data and experiences gathered during the research process. This iterative cycle of action and reflection is a hallmark of action research, making it effective for enacting positive changes within organizations.

While options related to financial analysis or assessing organizational climate may bear relevance to organizational development, they do not encapsulate the participatory and reflective nature of action research. Thus, a focus on employee feedback aligns best with the core principles and practices associated with action research.