Action research has long adopted an integrative approach to research as incorporating three inquiries and voices: the first-person voice of individuals inquiring into their own thinking and learning, the second- person inquiry into the collaborative engagements between the actors as co-researchers and the third-person contribution to knowledge for a wider audience. Third-person theory seeks to integrate among the first- and second-person practices, linking the subjective dynamics of action and inquiry (within the first-person), the intersubjective collaborative dynamics of action and inquiry (between second-persons engaged with one another) and the outcome of actionable knowledge (among a collection of third-persons-and-things at a distance from and often anonymous-to-one another). Drawing on Peirce’s articulation of abductive reasoning this article explores how abductive reasoning serves as the integrating mechanism between first-, second- and third-person practice and informs both the theory of how theory is generated through first- and second-person practices.

行动研究长期以来一直采用综合研究方法，将三种询问和声音结合起来：个人询问自己的思想和学习的第一人称声音，第二人称调查参与者作为共同研究人员和为更广泛的受众提供知识的第三人称贡献。第三人称理论试图整合第一人称和第二人称实践，将行动和探究的主观动力（在第一人称内）、行动和探究的主体间协作动力（第二人称之间）联系起来) 和可操作知识的结果（在彼此相距遥远且通常是匿名的第三方和事物的集合中）。