Action Research

Action Research

1. according to Geoffrey E. Mills, action research is any systematic inquiry conducted by teacher researchers, principals, school counselors, or other stakeholders in the teaching/learning environment to gather information about how their particular schools operate, how they teach, and how well their students learn.

   • by: Christian Williams
     • EDUC 534
   • BENEFITS:
     • Professionalize teaching.
     • Enhance the motivation and efficacy of a weary faculty.
     • Meets the needs of an increasingly diverse student body.
     • Achieve success with “standards-based” reforms.
   • Action Research seeks localized strategies for specific issues, providing answers that impact and enhance all the people involved in the research.
     • Traditional educational research is generally conducted by researchers or scientists from outside the organization, looking in, whose goal is to remain objective and offer generalized truths (Mertler, 2013; Stringer 2014)
   • The Action Research process will reveal that school officiants value students as we incorporate educational research, by gaining student input.
     • Action research is a disciplined process of inquiry conducted by and for those taking the action. The primary reason for engaging in action research is to assist the “actor” in improving and/or refining his or her actions. (Action research. 2007. The Social Science Jargon-Buster. London: Sage UK, 2007. Credo Reference.)
       • Action Research heightens the communication processes by colleagues working together collaboratively.
   • Critical Action Research should include the following characteristics: Democratic, participatory, empowering, life-enhancing.
   • Action research is persuasive.
     • Action Research challenges the contempt of reform of the educational system.
   • Action research is relevant.
     • Action research allows teachers access to research findings.

2. The purpose of action research includes:

   • Building the reflective practitioner
     • Making progress on schoolwide priorities
       • Building professional cultures
         • Action research creates opportunities for all involved to improve the lives of children and to learn about the craft of teaching.
         • The ongoing development of instructional methods and feedback skills are critical to excellence in teaching.
       • Professional retreats offer teachers the opportunity to dedicate time to those qualitative steps that result in ongoing development.
     • Becoming a master teacher takes continuous effort.

3. the four-step process:

   • Step 1- Identify an area of focus.
     • Step 2 - Collect data!
       • Step 3 - Analyze and interpret data.
         • Step 4 - Develop an action plan.