Action Research

Action Research

1. meaning

   • it is a scepticism about assumptions and willingness to put everything to the test

2. Characteristics of action research

   • According to Elliott (1990)
     • it analyses the human actions
     • it uses an exploratory approach
     • It aims to explain what happens in the classroom
     • It interprets different classroom events
     • it uses direct simple language
   • According to Kemmis & McTaggart (1988)
     • three defining characteristics
       • 1st
         • it is carried out by classroom teachers
       • 2nd
         • it is collaborative
       • 3rd
         • it is aimed at changing things

3. Stages in action research

   • Four classic developmental phases
     • Phase 1
       • Development of a plan of action to improve what is already happening
     • Phase 2
       • Act to implement the plan
     • Phase 3
       • Observe the effects of action in the context in which it occurs
     • Phase 4
       • Reflect on these effects
   • eight-stage action research by Cohen and Manion (1985)
     • Stage 1
       • identification, evaluation and formulation
     • Stage 2
       • Preliminary discussion and negociations
     • Stage 3
       • Review of research literature
     • Stage 4
       • Restatement of the problem or formulation of a hypothesis
     • Stage 5
       • Selection of research procedures
     • Stage 6
       • Choice of evaluation
     • Stage 7
       • The implementation of the project itself
     • Stage 8
       • The interpretation of data

4. Why do action research

   • A way of learning about our learners
   • Reflecting and analysing our teaching
   • A way of monitoring and evaluating innovation

5. Criticism of action research

   • The issues of reliability and validity are key in talking about evaluating research