ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces action research by situating it within the development of social sciences from the middle of the twentieth century. It discusses the role of action research within the field of criminology and criminal justice. The chapter explains the action research approach in intercultural settings and the concept of action research as developed within the European FP7-project ALTERNATIVE. The ALTERNATIVE project was designed on the basis of some theoretically oriented work packages and practice-oriented work packages, the latter ones conceived as case studies to be implemented in Austria, Hungary, Serbia and Northern Ireland. In Austria, the research focused on conflicts in social housing estates in Vienna, exploring potential of active participation of citizens and of civil society organizations, aiming at enhancing security and diminishing feelings of insecurity. In Serbia, interethnic conflicts taking place in three border villages were in the focus, with special attention to victims, to observe their roles in democratic processes for peace building and conflict resolution.
