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Introduction:

An investigation is here understood as a scientific method for uncovering facts and connections between phenomena. The aim is not just to learn about the topic and create new theories but also to search for solutions. 
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This type of investigation is also called Action Research and you can regard all of what you are doing in this section as an Action Research project. You reseached the theme of the group of Poor theoretically in books and documents in task one. In this second task you go into the field to get closer to people and to see the &ldquo;facts on the ground&rdquo;. You then use your knowledge to plan a project which is the third task of this section and finally in the fourth and last task, you produce an &ldquo;action research&rdquo; report of your activities with the group of Poor. 
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The special characteristic of action research is that the researcher &ndash; meaning you &ndash; do not search just for the best theoretical model of descriping the problems of the Poor. No, you engage yourself personally with the people involved in the problem, that is the Poor themselves, in creating solutions, which help the concrete group of Poor and may very well also show ways and means for other groups of Poor in their fight for a life in dignity. 
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Action research is a scientific method often referred to in pedagogical science, where the teacher together with his school or class becomes an action researcher going for solving issues in the school or even in the community together with the students. 
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In the files we have taken an example of &ldquo;action research&rdquo; from the world of liberation struggle. The leader of the Chinese revolution, Mao Tse Tung, who became president in 1949, was also a philosopher. In 1930, he wrote a short article, "Oppose book worship" where he explains that answers cannot always be found in books, that anyone, who wants to lead others, must be ready to investigate the reality and through investigation find out what to do based not on prejudice but on facts and sound conclusions. 
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In a later article on practice he explains his philosophy in greater details. He says that when people get into an unknown situation, they do not have concepts or theories to explain what is going on. Therefore they start with "practice" meaning investigating the world around them. Little by little they are able to understand connections and they form a "theory". This theory helps them change the way they do things, meaning they get a new "practice". Through that new practice they become able to formulate new theories that help them establish yet another new practice and so on, going from practice to theory and back again to a new practice. 
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The dialectic between practice and theory is a central element of action research and when doing your readings and studies in the field, you should bear in mind the aim of changing the present reality to something better, through a new &ldquo;practice&rdquo;. 
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Directive:

This task is scheduled for 40 hours. 
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<ol>
	<li>As inspiration read the file &ldquo;Oppose book worship&rdquo;. Discuss with your fellow student(s) doing a joint project.</li>
	<li>Prepare where to go, who to speak to, questions to ask so as to get deep into the problems of the group of Poor you want to work with in your project. This means of course you talk to the group of Poor, as well as others who might have insight into how the community works, into how to solve certain practical and logistical problems etc.&nbsp;(If you carry out the project as a Development Instructor with Humana People to People, you should include HPP staff as people to speak to and you make sure to be in accordance with the Project Leader on the overall layout of your field investigations and project.)</li>
	<li>Carry out the investigations in the field, take notes, discuss with fellow students. Conclude on the main issue(s) of the group of Poor that you intend to do something about in your project.</li>
	<li>If need be do some additional investigations so as to become ready to make a plan for the project.</li>
	<li>Produce the plan for your project, whereby you describe it in series of actions. (You may for inspiration read the 8 examples of community actions that are attached as files to the next task &ldquo;A project with the group of Poor&rdquo;)</li>
	<li>Make a timeline for the actions and write each of the actions in title and wording.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Describe logistical and economic issues that you need to solve, authorities you might need to consult etc. &ndash; and outline your solutions.</li>
	<li>Send your plans including timeline, actions described in title and wording, logistical, economic and other considerations to your teacher.</li>
</ol>
As an inspiration, you can read the examples of 8 community actions A-H that are attached to task #7. Else, refer to the attached documents.

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