Sally Dampier examines the ways in which action research can develop practice-based knowledge

When I was asked to write a commentary for this edition of Nurse Researcher focusing on action research, I was curious about recent articles on the method and searched through the journal. To my delight, there were 50 articles, book reviews and commentaries cited, highlighting the growing awareness and value of the role that action research plays in linking theory to our everyday practice. This edition of Nurse Researcher will add to the growing use of this method, with articles on action research from around the world. Each paper illustrates a variety of ways in which action research can support practice-based knowledge.