Action research

Presentation By

Sadia Hassan Roll no (804)

(806)

Action Research

Topic

• Introduced by Kurt Lewin in social science.

• Stephen Corey introduced it in the field of education in 1953.

Introduction

Teachers often leave a mark on their students,

but they seldom leave a mark on their profession" -(Wolfe, 1989).

Action Research

Now in the field of education

“Action research is a systematic investigation conducted by practitioners to provide information to immediately improve teaching and learning.” James H. McMillan p.329

Introduction

Stephen Corey (1953) define it as:

“The process through which practitioners study their problems scientifically in order to guide, correct and evaluate their decisions and actions. In the educational setting i.e. school, the practitioners are the teachers and his other colleagues who work to improve instruction.”

Definitions

Geoffery E. Mills describe

“Action research in education is any systematic inquiry conducted by teachers, principals, school counselors, or other stake holders in the teaching learning environment. It involve gathering information about the ways in which their particular school operates, the teacher teach, and student learn.”

Definitions

Definitions

Carr and Kemmis say that:“Action research is a form of self-reflective inquiry that can be utilized by teachers in order to improve the rationality and justice of•Their own practices,•Their understanding of these practices and•The situations in which these practices are carried out.”

Characteristics of action research

Reflective Collaborative Context SpecificStep by step procedure

Characteristics of action research

Improvement in practiceresearchers are itself evaluators Open minded about evidenceImprovement in practice

Theories of Action Research

Two main theories of action research:

• Critical action research

• Practical action research

Philosophical Perspective

Type of Research

Depends upon the:- Nature of study Sample size Instrumentation Data Analysis

It can be quantitative and also be qualitative

Types of Action Research

In educational contextFour basic types depend upon the • Nature of study• Type of problem

Types of Action Research

Individual Action research Collaborative Action Research School-wide Action Research District-wide Action Research

Individual Action Research

Individual action research based on the individual teacher research on a single issue in the classroom. It may be any classroom problem related to student learning, classroom management, related to administration or any instructional strategy.

Collaborative Action Research

When a group of teachers work together to resolve a common issue related to a group of students or department, it comes under collaborative action research.

School-Wide Action Research

All issues which are common to all within the school boundary come under this type. These common problems can be investigated by the staff members while working together

District-Wide Action Research

The focus of action research is on those problems that are wider in nature. District level educational issues are addressed. It is more complex in nature and also utilizes more resources.

• • It is applied in nature.

• Care full data collection.

• Recommendations are meaningful.

• Allow the professional development of teachers.

• It creates system wide mind-set for the school improvement.

• It changes the climate of school.

Advantages

• • It enhance the decision making power of teachers.

• It empower the educational leaders.

• Action researchers evaluate themselves.

• It improves the communication network.

• Researchers are more committed towards their work.

• It promotes self-reflection and self-assessment.

• The results are relevant and directly applicable.

Advantages

Limitations

• Action Research also have following limitation

• Did not follow scientific method accurately.

• less emphasize on the previous findings or literature

review.• Teachers may not able to do research as the professional

researchers

• less about generalizability.

• Special training is required.

Concluding remarks

In summary, although some people may critique that action research is an informal research since teachers are not academic researchers, it is widely believed that action research is extremely suitable for education as its main purpose is to help teachers as researchers solve their teaching problems “in action”.

THANKS