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The Purpose of Action Research
Contributes to the theory & knowledge base to enhance practiceSupports the professional development of practitionersBuilds a collegial networking systemHelps practitioners identify problems & seek solutions systematicallyCan be used at all levels & in all areas of education
Formal Research vs. Action Research
Skills needed
Goals
How the research problem is identified
Literature review
Selection of participants
Research design
Data collection
Data analysis
Application of results
Skills Needed
General research skills:
Ability to design research
Ability to develop instruments
Ability to select subjects (if necessary)
Ability to collect data
Ability to analyze data
Goals
Goals…
Overall goal should be to solve a problem
Include collaboration
Professional development
Enhance professional practice
Identifying the Problem
First, select a general idea or area of focus:should involve teaching and learningshould be within your locus of controlshould be something you feel passionate aboutshould be something you would like to change or improve
Identifying the ProblemSecond, do Reconnaissance:
Explore your understanding of theories, your educational values, how your work fits into the larger context of schooling, the historical context of your school, the history of the development of your ideas about teaching and learning
Describe the Who, What, When & Where of the situation you want to change
Explain the Why of the situation
Proactive Action Research
A new practice is tried to bring improved outcomesHopes & concerns are incorporatedData are collected regularly to track changes
Reflection on alternatives takes place
Another practice is tried
Process begins again
Responsive Action Research
Data collected to diagnose situation
Data analyzed for themes & ideas
Data distributed & changes to be tried announced
New practice tried
Reactions checked
Data collected to diagnose
Process begins again
The Process of Action Research
Identify the problem; select an area of focus.
Review the related research literature.
Collect the data.
Organize, analyze & interpret the data.
Take the action (apply the findings).
Overview
Identify theproblem or area
Review relatedresearch literature
Collect data
Organize, analyze& interpret
Take action;apply findings
Identify the ProblemSelect the Area of Focus
Determine & describe the current situationDiscussNegotiateExplore opportunitiesAssess possibilitiesExamine constraints
Review the Related Literature
Become familiar with other research done on the area of focusUtilize the findings of others to help develop the planApply research findings through the lens of others’ experience
Collect the Data
Using a variety of data collection strategies, gather information that will contribute to the findingsTriangulateData should be analyzed as it is collected
Organize, Analyze & Interpret the Data
As the data is collected, it is also continually organized & analyzedAs new perspectives are gained on the original area of focus, the problem statement may changeInterpretation is based on ongoing analysis & continually reviewing the area of focus
Take Action; Apply Findings
Draw conclusions from the data analyzedTranslate conclusions into actions or behaviorsPlan how to implement the actions or behaviorsDo it!
Planning Action Research1. Write an area-of-
focus statement.2. Define the variables.3. Develop research
questions.4. Describe the
intervention or innovation.
5. Describe the action research group.
6. Describe the negotiations that need to happen.
7. Develop a timeline.
8. Develop a statement of resources.
9. Develop data collection ideas.
10. Put action plan into action.
Area-of-Focus StatementIdentifies the purpose of the studyIdentifies the anticipated outcomeIdentifies the problem to be addressedCompletes the statement: “The purpose of this study is…”
Define the Variables
Write definitions of exactly what you will address.
Definitions should accurately represent what factors, contexts & variables mean to you.
Be clear about what is being studied, so that you know it when you see it!
The Research Questions
Develop questions that “breathe life” into the area-of-focus statement.
Research questions should be open-ended!
Research questions help give a focus to the plan.
They also help validate that you have a workable plan.
Intervention or Innovation
Describe your proposed solution to the initial problem.
This is just a statement about what you will do to address the teaching and learning issue you have identified.
In “formal research” this would be the experimental treatment.
The Action Research Group
Who will you be working with?
Why is each member important to the study?
What will be the roles & responsibilities of each member?
Negotiations
What permissions will you need to secure?
Who will be in control of the focus of your study (hopefully, you!)?
Who needs to be notified of what?
Whose cooperation do you need & how will you get it?
Develop a TimelineThis is the essence of planning!Anticipate where & how your study will take place.Anticipate how long each step will take.Apply predicted time frames to a calendar.
Statement of Resources
What will you need to carry out your study?
Resources include time, money, and materials.
Make a list before you get started!
Data Collection Ideas
First, decide what kinds of data you will need.
Then, determine what kind of access you have to the data.
Then, decide how you will gather it.
Brainstorm what data naturally occurs in the environment you are studying.
Put the Action Plan into Action
From your analysis of the data you collected, you should have elements and ideas you can apply to a plan.
Formulate the plans in collaboration with the Action Research Group.
Go for it!
Validity of Action Research
Validity: the degree to which scientific observations actually measure or record what they purport to measure (Pelto & Pelto, 1978, p. 33)
Assessing trustworthiness
Assessing understanding
Criteria for Assessing ValidityAnderson, Herr & Nihlen:
Democratic validity – require accurate representa-tion of multiple perspectives of all subjectsOutcome validity – requires that action emerging from a study lead to successful resolution of problem being studiedProcess validity – requires that study be conduc-ted in dependable & competent wayCatalytic validity – requires that subjects are moved to take actionDialogic validity – requires application of a peer review process
So, ask yourself…Democratic validity: Have the perspectives of all of the
individuals in the study been accurately represented?
Outcome validity: Did the action emerging from the study lead
to the successful resolution of the problem?
So, ask yourself…Process validity: Was the study conducted in a
dependable & competent manner?
Catalytic validity: Were the results of the study a catalyst
for action?
Dialogic validity: Was the study reviewed by peers?
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