Methods for Tracking and Trailing Change

Abstract

This chapter presents trailing research (TR) as an approach for studying organization change in real time. I argue that TR can contribute in bridging the practitioner-scholar divide as well as generating methodologically rigorous, theoretically strong, and practically relevant research. I contrast the method with more traditional ways of researching change, such as positivistic research and action research and discuss various phases of the research process by drawing on my own experience with TR. While the objectives of the research are more similar to action research, the role of the researcher differs from both action research and positivistic research.

Citation

Stensaker, I.G. (2013), "Methods for Tracking and Trailing Change", Research in Organizational Change and Development (Research in Organizational Change and Development, Vol. 21), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 149-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0897-3016(2013)0000021008