ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents the various ideas, methods, and strategies for research that have been developed by European and American action researchers in particular, in the fields of in-service education of teachers. It discusses the many different ways that professionals can make their research knowledge public, and the reasons why this is important for both the status of the professions and the benefit of clients. The book aims to encourage all professionals to investigate those aspects of their practice that they want to improve and develop in their daily work and their relationships with colleagues, clients of all ages, and managers or administrators. It stimulates the various professional groups to recognize the value of their work to society as a whole, in particular by taking control of the development of their organizations, and of the identification and resolution of crucial professional problems.
