organizational experiences, converse together to understand, and construct shared meanings
(however provisional) from which appropriate OD research interventions may be
selected and implemented, they are enacting the general empirical method. In this manner
they are embodying rigor in a science of action and addressing explicitly the pitfalls of
working from untested inferences and attributions (Argyris 2004; Coghlan 2010).
In keeping with Shani and Pasmore’s definition and research, we propose that quality in
action research in the context of OD may be framed in terms of the key areas that they
identify: purpose and rationale for action and inquiry, context, methodology and method of
inquiry, design, narrative and outcomes, reflection on the narrative in the light of the
experience and the theory; extrapolation to a broader context and articulation of practical
knowing are presented in their terms of their essence and are juxtaposed in terms of being
rigorous, reflective and relevant (Table 1).