Action Research PDF

Action Research Power Point Slides by Ronald J. Shope in collaboration with John W. Creswell What is action research? Action research is a systematic inquiry done by teachers (or other individuals in educational settings). The aim is to gather information about, and subsequently i...

Action Research Power Point Slides by Ronald J. Shope in collaboration with John W. Creswell What is action research? Action research is a systematic inquiry done by teachers (or other individuals in educational settings). The aim is to gather information about, and subsequently improve, the ways their educational setting operates; e.g., how they teach, how well their students learn and how they run their schools. What is action research? Action research is systematic because; Before the research begins a plan is in place that describes what data you will collect and when, how, and how often you will collect it One way to ensure you are collecting data on a regular basis is to use a calendar or checklist You want to ensure that data are collected systematically and adequately. When do you use action research? When educators have an educational problem to solve. When educators want to reflect on their own practices. When educators want to address school- based problems. When educators want to improve their own practices. When educators want to participate in a research project. How did action research develop? Teacher and school inquiries 2000s (e.g., teacher-initiated research studies) 1990s School-based Professional inquiry by site councils teachers (e.g., self-study) (e.g., School 1980s Committees) 1970s In-service days (e.g., teacher staff development activities) Movement Toward Action Research  Types of action research designs Action Research Practical Participatory Studying local practices Studying social issues Involving individual or team- that constrain individual lives based inquiry Emphasizing equal Focusing on teacher development and collaboration student learning Focusing on “life-enhancing Implementing a plan of action changes” Leading to the teacher-as-researcher Resulting in the emancipated researcher Practical action research: Mills (2000) Dialectic Research Spiral Identify an Area of Focus Develop an Collect Data Action Plan Analyze and Interpret Data  A Dynamic Process Dynamic process of spiraling back and forth among reflection, data collection, and action Does not follow a linear pattern Does not follow a causal sequence from problem to action Educational Research 2e: Creswell Participatory action research Deliberate exploration of relationship between the individual and others Participatory: people conduct studies on themselves Practical and collaborative Emancipatory (Challenges procedures) Helps individuals free themselves from constraints found in media, language, work procedures, and power relationships Reflexive or dialectical – focused on bringing about change in practices Stringer’s (1999) Action Research Interacting Spiral Think Look Act Key characteristics of action research A practical focus The educator-researcher’s own practices Collaboration Dynamic process A plan of action Sharing research findings. Educational Research 2e: Creswell Practical focus A problem that will have immediate benefits for – Individual teachers – Schools – Communities Studying the educator- researcher’s own practices Self‑reflective research by the educator-researchers turns the lens on their own educational classroom, school, or practices. Collaboration Students Community Teachers Stakeholders Collaborative Team Parents Staff Administrators A dynamic process Dynamic process of spiraling back and forth between reflection, data collection, and action. Does not follow a linear pattern. Does not follow a causal sequence from problem to action. A plan of action The educator-researcher develops a plan of action. Formal or informal; involve a few individuals or an entire community May be presenting data to stakeholders, establishing a pilot program, or exploring new practices Sharing research Groups of stakeholders Local schools, Educational personnel Local or state individuals Not specifically interested in publication but in sharing with individuals or groups who can promote change. The problem is only one phase in which to enter Evaluating Identifying Collecting Taking Existing “Problem” Data Action Data Point of Point of Point of Point of Entry Entry Entry Entry What are the steps in conducting action research? Determine if action research is the best design to use. Identify the problem to study. Locate resources to help address the problem Identify the information you will need. Taxonomy of action research data collection techniques Action Research Data Collection Techniques (The Three E’s) Examining Experiencing Enquiring Using and making (Through observation When the researcher records and field notes) asks Archival documents Participant observation Informal Interview Journals (Active participant) Structured formal Maps Interview Audio and Privileged, active Questionnaires Videotapes observer Attitude Scales Artifacts Passive observer Standardized Tests Fieldnotes  What are the steps in conducting action research? Implement the data collection or take action. Analyze the data Develop a plan for action Implement the plan and reflect. How do you evaluate action research? Does the project clearly address a problem or issue in practice that needs to be solved? Did the action researcher collect sufficient data to address the problem? Did the action researcher collaborate with others during the study? Was there respect for all collaborators? How do you evaluate action research? Did the plan of action advanced by the researcher build logically from the data? Is there evidence that the plan of action contributed to the researcher’s reflection as a professional? Has the research enhanced the lives of the participants by empowering them, changing them, or providing them with new understanding? How do you evaluate action research? Did the action research lead to change or did a solution to a problem make the difference? Was the action research reported to audiences who might use the information?