ACTION RESEARCH

Key - Action research: systematic procedures done by teachers (or other individuals in an educational
concep setting) to gather information to understand and improve the teaching or learning situations.
ts and - Practical Action Research: Educators seek to enhance the practice of education through the
meani systematic study of a local problem
ngs - Participatory Action Research: researchers and participants working together to understand a
problematic situation and change it for the better.
- Intimate and open-ended nature of action research: close relationship between the researcher and
participants
- Covenantal ethics: the basis of caring relationships among community research partners and a
shared commitment to social justice

Main What is action research, when do you use it, and how did it develop?
points Aims of action research: addressing a specific, practical issue and seeking to obtain solutions to a
problem to improve the practice of education.
When to use: when you have a specific educational problem to solve.
How it developed: three stages mark:
-
Identification of a process for addressing societal issues practice and involve practitioners in the problems' solutions

Types of action research designs

- Practical Action Research
+ The major principles: Teacher–researchers have decision-making authority to study an educational
practice as part of their own ongoing professional development; are committed to continued
professional development and school improvement; want to reflect on their practices individually or in
school-based teams composed of students, teachers, and administrators; use a systematic approach
for reflecting on their practices; choose an area of focus, determine data collection techniques,
analyze and interpret data, and develop action plans.
+ The process: Identifying an area of focus -> collecting data -> analysis and interpretation ->
completing an action plan
- Participatory Action Research
+ The major principle: shapes the direction of the process of inquiry; the type of issue that commands
attention of the action researcher; the procedures of research, especially data collection; and the
intent and outcomes of the inquiry.
+ strive for an open, broad-based involvement of participants by collaborating in decisions and
consensual partners as equals
+ Kemmis and McTaggert (2005) summarized six central features of PAR: 1. social process in
relationship between the individual and other people. 2. participatory. 3. practical and collaborative 4.
helps unshackle people from the constraints of irrational and unjust structures 5. recover and release
people from the constraints embedded in social media 6. reflexive
- The process: contains three phases: look, think, and act. -> repeating and revising procedures and
interpretations.
Key Characteristics of Action Research
- A practical focus:
Action research aims to address an actual problem in an educational setting have immediate b
- The teacher-researcher’s own practices:
action researchers engage in participatory or self-reflective resear
- Collaboration:
Action researchers collaborate with others (individuals within a school or outside personnel establ
- A dynamic process: iterations of activities, cycling back and forth between reflection about the
 problem, data collection, and action.
- A plan of action: researchers formulate an action plan in response to the problem to guide the use of
a new practice.
- Sharing research: action researchers report and share their research with local school, community
and educational personnel.
Some Potential Ethical Issues in Action Research
- Data collection cannot be coercive.
- Students/ participants can opt out of a study if they so desire w/o being penalized.
- People’s knowledge, democratic and nonhierarchical practices, and social change among the action
research community should be considered.
- Continually renegotiate the purpose of the study; consider how the results will be used; involve
participants in as many phases of the process as possible.
Steps In Conducting an Action Research Study
An 8-step procedure is suggested for an action research study:
1. Determine if Action Research Is the Best Design to Use: time to collect and analyze data;
collaborators & coresearchers; broad understanding.
2. Identify a Problem to Study: solve a practical problem (as a question to answer).
3. Locate Resources to Help Address the Problem: review the literature, ask colleagues for advice,
teaming with university personnel.
4. Identify Information You Will Need: who provides data; how many people; what individuals; rapport
and support; types of data
5. Implement the Data Collection: keep a record, organize for analysis, examine the quality of the
information.
6. Analyze the Data: keep data manageable.
7. Develop a Plan for Action: outline as a strategy.
8. Implement the Plan and Reflect: try out a potential solution; consult original objectives; reflect on
what you have learned.
Identify quanti and quali sources:
1. Experiencing: observing and taking fieldnotes
2. Enquiring: asking people for information
3. Examining: using and making records
How do you evaluate an action research study?- based on some criteria
- Focuses: issue in practice/in the local community.
- Collects: multiple sources of data (quantitative and qualitative).
- Collaborates with others: to find the best solutions.
- Shows respect: for all collaborators.
- Advances a plan of action.
- Reflects on his/her own development as a professional.
- Helps to enhance the lives of participants.
- Develops a plan recommending changes to practice.
- Reports the research: understandable and useful to audiences.