Letting the Research Guide You

Research is like drilling for oil, the deeper you go the more you tend to find. This has been my experience in writing an action research plan.  After not feeling satisfied with the quantity of literature I reviewed in my first go around, I decided to cast a wider net and delve deeper to find literature that spoke more specifically to my topic.  I was successful in gaining greater insight and
potentially a professional contact.  I reached out to an author whose article, according to the abstract, would be perfect to add to my literature review. The article itself, not available and hence the need to contact the author. This particular author was a professor at a college I attended years ago and whose classes I never took. But, having great faith in mankind and the hope he will take pity on a former alumnus, I look forward to hearing back from him soon. I view this encounter in the most positive light possible, with either the contact providing the article needed or perhaps with guidance to suggest other articles for my research.  Whatever the outcome, approaching expert authors in the field is never a bad thing and could lead to great professional contacts. I will keep you posted. 

As my professor has pointed out, action research planning can be a very heuristic process. I am understanding that better every day.