What is Action Research

What is Action Research?

LIB 600 Libraries and Education 2014

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That definition states that 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.

• From Guiding School Improvement with Action Research by Richard Sagor (ASCD Premium Member Book, May 2000).

A succinct definition of action research

What is Action Research?

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According to the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory,

• “Action research is inquiry or research in the context of focused efforts to improve the quality of an organization and its performance. It typically is designed and conducted by practitioners who analyze the data to improve their own practice. Action research can be done by individuals or by teams of colleagues. The team approach is called collaborative inquiry.”• See also PowerPoint on Action Research by Leo

Rigsby, IET, George Mason University

What is Action Research?

Another definition

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Action Research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully using the techniques of research.  It is based on the following assumptions:

• teachers and principals work best on problems they have identified for themselves;

• teachers and principals become more effective when encouraged to examine and assess their own work and then consider ways of working differently;

• teachers and principals help each other by working collaboratively;

• working with colleagues helps teachers and principals in their professional development.

• Heidi Watts, Antioch Graduate School

What is Action Research?

Put another way

5Key elements of action research?

http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/articles/Callison2007-v23n10p40.html

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Some other definitions

http://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Lessons_and_Resources/Grants_and_Awards/How%20is%20Action%20Research%20Defined(1

).pdf

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The action research cycle

Action Research Cycle

Repo

rt

Identify

Problem

Gather data

Try out solution

Propose

solution

Analyze data

8Problem Identification

Step 1

Identify

Problem

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/aSGuest140058-1480247-action-research/

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• Will you develop and implement a new strategy or approach to address your question?  If so, what will it be?

• Will you focus your study on existing practices?  If so, which particular ones?

• What is an appropriate timeline for what you are trying to accomplish?

• Five Phases of Action Research

Develop an action plan

Proposing a solutionStep 2

Propose solution

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Act to implement the plan

Action!

Try out the solution

Step 3Try out solution

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Record your evidence!

Gather dataStep 4

Gather data

https://prezi.com/lrkmaw4ep_mm/data-collection-tools-used-in-action-research/

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• Data analysis involves

examination of the data in

order to answer your

questions. To prepare, you

will want to make sure all

your data are on paper, and

you will probably want to

read everything over at

least once. If you have

asked more than one

question, you will want to

sort the data according to

question. And you may want

to discard (or at least set

aside) data that do not

directly relate to the

questions you have posed.

Number crunching? Not just numbers!

Analyze dataStep 5

Analyze data

Research to Practice: Guidelines for Planning Action Research Projects

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Synthesis and explanation

ReportStep 6

Repo

rt

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Reflect and start over again!

Rinse & Repeat!

Next Step(s)?

Rinse & Repeatas needed!

• From what I now understand about action research, it is merely working to improve an individual’s skill set through a process of inquiry, implementation and reflection and repeating as necessary. The old lather, rinse and repeat routine put to a more formal setting.

• Action Research - EDLD 5301 Blog post Tuesday, January 24, 2012 by Michael Tomberlin

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Some have more steps, some less

Action research cycles vary!

An action research approach to curriculum development

Information Research, Vol. 1 No. 1, April 1995

Project ACTIVate: Innovations from New Zealand

Professional Learning and Leadership Development:

Action research

16 Copyright 2009