I've mentioned in earlier sessions two varieties of action research cycle. It is theory and practice integrated. Action and understanding integrated. In the Deakin cycle, planning can be thought of as reflection before action. Observation is reflection during action.
Reflection is reflection after action.
This leads in successive cycles to less fuzzy questions, methods and answers. The later cycles test and refine the conclusions, and the actions, from earlier cycles. The continuing testing of theory in action adds to understanding. All else being equal, the better the information and interpretation, the better the decisions. The better the decisions, the better the decided actions.