What is the dominant methodological basis for planned change?

• A. Action Research Model
• B. Experimental Design
• C. Survey Research
• D. Ethnography

Answer: (A)

Action Research provides the framework for planned change because it treats change as an iterative cycle of inquiry and action that directly involves those affected. It starts by diagnosing the issue, planning an intervention, implementing it, observing results, and reflecting to refine the approach, then repeats this loop. This collaborative, learning-by-doing process makes change more responsive and adaptable, which is essential when organizations deliberately steer improvements and new practices.

In contrast, experimental design focuses on controlled testing to establish causal effects in conditions that are often not representative of real-world organizations, making it less practical as the overarching basis for planned change. Survey research is mainly about collecting data from people, not driving or refining interventions, and ethnography centers on deep cultural understanding rather than providing a structured, iterative method for implementing change.