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Focus and Scope

Action Learning and Action Research Journal (ALARj) publishes articles that describe and analyse the use of action learning and action research approaches to social and organisational change.

While we are interested in all accounts, we are particularly interested in accounts that meet our criteria for both good practice action learning and action research, and good practice writing in this field. These criteria are available on our website and broadcast with our calls for submissions along with the guidelines.

We are not limited to academic styles of writing, although we strongly encourage them. We are also interested in creative forms of writing and the use of alternative and new media to engage the writer and the reader in co-creative acts of reading, learning and co-construction of understanding about the field. In this way we seek dynamic and innovative forms of writing that are also rigorous in their attention to good practices.

Our publication is intended to recognise practitioners from a great variety of backgrounds: community, business, government, scholarship and advocacy - for example. We are unique in encouraging both action learning and action research methodologies, and also in not being limited to any specific field or discipline of application.

In so doing we actively encourage multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, Indigenous and new paradigm frameworks of understanding in the writing and the practices of the field where those practices progress our Association's vision.

The ALARj is listed in:

Peer Review Process

ALARj offers both blind peer review and transaprent review depending on the wishes of the author. This is consistent with contemporary action research practice, which can encourage open dialogue between writers and critical friends. However we also understand the value of anonimity and blind peer review.

Depending on the availability of reviewers and the review load, we offer at least one and usually two reviews per paper, and in some instances three reviews.

Our Editorial Advisory Board (review panel) is made up of practicing action researchers and action learners, representing the broad spectrum of the field philosophically, culturally and in terms of disciplines. Panel members are located in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, the Americas and Asia. They include academics, consultants, staff from NGOs and government departments.

We try to allocate papers to reviewers in the areas in which the reviewer has interest or expertise. However this is not always possible, nor necessary.

The reviewers work to our criteria to give feedback. The feedback is sent to the writers by the Editor with an offer to resubmit in response to the feedback. Resubmission does not guarantee publication. The Editor-in-Chief makes final decisions about publication and writers are informed by email.

Journal History

ALARj, initially named as ALAR Journal is a publication of the Action Learning Action Research Association Ltd, ALARA, initially known as ALARPM. The first issue was in 1996. The journal is overseen by a Global Strategic Publications Editorial Board, which is a sub-committee of the ALARA Board. The Editorial Board nominate a Managing Editor to the ALARA Board to oversee the bi-annual publication. An international panel of reviewers (Editorial Advisory Board) offers double blind reviews to contributors. ALARj is fundamentally a practitioner's publication. As such, the Editors encourage new writers, and value highly critically reflections on theories of practice to progress the field. The Editorial Advisory Board uses specific criteria to evaluate papers, designed for the field.