Action Research for HDP

Friday, April 28, 2023 Action research for Defense College

Action research for teaching practitioners

By: Tsegay Girmy(MSc)

Objectives At the end of this session, you will be able to• Define action research• Differentiate between formal/applied and Action research• Identify the steps in writing Action research• Prepare action research proposal in group• Present and defend the proposal to the whole

class• Evaluate others’ work


1. CONCEPTS OF ACTION RESEARCHLearning tasks

Group work:• Previous experience of Action Research• • Group definition of Action Research• • Share some initial ideas for action research projects

What is research? Is a systematic approach that designed to collect, analyses, interpret

and use data to: Understand ,Describe,predict an educational, psychological and social and political

phenomena.


In general assumptions:

• Teachers and educational administrators work best on problems they have identified for

themselves;

• Teachers and educational administrators become more effective when encouraged to examine

and assess their own work and then consider ways of working differently;

• Teachers and educational administrators help each other by working collaboratively;

• Working with colleagues helps teachers to share ideas about their professional development.

• Action research is a powerful tools for change and improvement at the local level.

• To do action research is to plan, act observe and reflect more carefully, more systematically, and more rigorously than one usually does in everyday life.

How can we reduce the HDP candidates’ drop out resulted by lack of some requirements from their portfolio?


“The idea of action research is that educational problems and issues are best identified and investigated scientifically and systematically where the action is; at the classroom and to the teaching and learning process.


By integrating research into these settings and engaging those who work at this level in research activities, findings can be applied immediately and problems solved more quickly” (Guskey, 2000).


2. IMPORTANCE OF ACTION RESEARCH

Learning Tasks• As a university teacher, what benefits do you expect

from conducting action research?

• To what extent are you interested/motivated to conduct action research at your course/department/college? And why?


• Connecting theory to practice• Improvement of classroom practices in:

• Instructional planning, Instructional management, Disciplinary issues, Teaching methods, Learning styles

• Assessment of/for learning• Teacher empowerment –teachers talent and creativity, depth and breadth

• Professional growth:• Builds a collegial networking system

Why action research, because…


In short:


3. CHARACTERISTICS OF ACTION RESEARCH

• Explain the characterizing features of action research.(in group: Brainstorm)


Characteristics of Action Research• is a process that improves education by incorporating

change.• It is a process involving educators working together to

improve their own practices. By them on them for them• It is collaborative ( students, staffs, admin, parents, etc)• practical and relevant to classroom teachers• develops critical reflection about one’s teaching;• It is planned, systematic, process of planning, acting,

observing, reflecting, and replanning• Sharing the report and so on

The difference between applied and action research

Areas Formal/Applied Research Action Research

Training needed by the researcher

Extensive On own or with consultation

Goals of research Knowledge that is generalizable

Knowledge to apply to the local situation

Methods of identifying the problem to be studied

Review of pervious research

Problems currently faced

Procedure for literature review

Extensive/wide range More brief

Sampling Approach Random or representative sampling

Students or clients with whom they work

Research design Precise control, long time frame

Looser procedures, change during study: quick time frame: control through triangulation

Data Analysis Statistical test; quantitative techniquesFocus on practical, not statistical significance; present raw material

Application of results Emphasis on theoretical significance Emphasis on practical significance


Process of Action Research

• What is your experience on the core elements need in action research?


The Process of Action Research• Identify the problem; select an area of focus.• Objective/signifecance • Collect the data.• Organize, analyze & interpret the data.• Take the action (apply the findings).


Further readings look the HDP Handbook page 105-107

Identify theproblem or area Objective/signeficance Collect data

Organize, analyze& interpret

Take action;apply findings

The same cycle continues in every new plan…


Introduction-

• give a context to the report. introduce yourselves and explain the back ground to the report.

• What is the research issues


Identifying the ProblemFirst, select a general idea or area of focus:• should involve teaching and learning• should be within your locus of control• should be something you feel passionate about• should 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

In short Identify and Select the Area of Focusconsidering:

• Determine & describe the current situation

• Discuss• Negotiate• Explore opportunities• Assess possibilities• Examine constraints


Objective/ segnificance• Clearly state the basic

purpose and goals of this project

• Who will be beneficiaries of this research project


Collect the Data

• Using a variety of data collection strategies, gather information that will contribute to the findings

• Triangulate• Data should be analyzed as it is collected


Organize, Analyze & Interpret the Data

• As the data is collected, it is also continually organized & analyzed

• As new perspectives are gained on the original area of focus, the problem statement may change

• Interpretation is based on ongoing analysis & continually reviewing the area of focus


Take Action; Apply Findings• Draw conclusions from the

data analyzed• Translate conclusions into

actions or behaviors• Plan how to implement the

actions or behaviors• Do it!



Take Kemmis as one of the model:

Simple approach for Writing AR Proposal

• INTRODUCTION• What is your research issue?• Why do you interest in this area?• What kind of evidence could we produce to show what is

happening?/what methods you will use?• How will you analyze your data?• What will you do about what you find?• What kind of evidence can you produce to show what you

doing have an impact?• How will you evaluate that impact?• How do you ensure that any judgments you may make are

reasonable fair and accurate?

Introduction-

•Give a context to the report. introduce yourselves and explain the back ground to the report.

How can we reduce the HDP candidates’ drop out resulted by the lack of some requirements from their portfolio?

Eg. INTRODUCTION• Explaining about HDP, • Its objectives, • When it is started?• How many HDP graduates are there since then?• What challenges has been faced so far?• Introducing the researchers Name and title- the research is

conducted by the group of HDL (Tsigereda, Ato Birhane, Ato Fedil)• This research focus on ‘How can we reduce the HDP

candidates’ drop out resulted by the lack of requirements from their portfolio?’

What is your research issue?

•Focus on one area that you want to investigate and be sure that you can do something about it.

•Start your research question “How can I/we…

•Keep it small ,focused and manageable

Possible area for AR• Aspects of instructional planning Eg. Lesson plan skill• Contents to teach:-Eg. reading skill, electrical design skill• Instructional/teaching methods:-Eg. contribution of group

member; participation in classroom• Learning assessments :-Eg. Performance• Classroom management or environment:-Eg. misbehavior, lateness, missing classes• Instructional materials:- reference books, teaching aids• Gender issues .Eg. Participation ,performance; repeation,

dismissal

Example• How can we reduce the HDP candidates’ drop out resulted by the lack of some requirements from their portfolio?

Activity Select specific problem that you have faced in your

classroom (2 min)I would like to improve…………We are unhappy about…………I am really curious about……….I want to learn more about……..I would like to bring change in………

Why have you chosen this issue?

Why are you interested in this area?

What are your values regarding the issues? What is the objective of the research?

Example • Reason:-As HDL I have observed that some candidates

did not graduate for the lack of some portfolio requirements though they attend the whole sessions.

• The objective :- is to reduce the drop out of candidates resulted by lack of requirements of their portfolios

Activity • State the one reason why you are interested in the

problem• State the objective of the research. (2min)

What kind of evidence can we produce to show what is happening?

• How can you show things as they are before you take action?

• Who will be your research PARTICIPANT?

• Which data will you collect? how you collect them?

Brainstorming• Mention some methods of data gathering


Action research can be designed:Practical• Studying local practices• Involving individual or team

based inquiry• Focusing on teachers

development and student learning

• Implementing a plan of action• Leading to the teacher a

researcher

Participatory (Community based inquiry)• Studying social issues that

constrains individual life• Emphasizing “equal

collaboration”• Focusing on life enhancing

changes• Resulting in the emancipated

researchers


Action research data gathering techniques

Experiencing( through

observation and field notes)

• Participant observation

• active observation

• Passive observer

Enquiring ( when the researcher asks)• Informal

interview• Structured

formal interview• Questionnaire• Attitude scales

(Likert )• standardized

Examine ( using and making records)• Archival

documents• Journal• Maps• Audio and

videotapes• Artifacts

Gathering data • Interview• Questionnaire• Observation • Research diary• Audio recording• Document analysis

Interview• It is used to find out what people think and do and whyThings to think about before the interview• How will I put interviewees at ease?• What question will I ask?• In what order will I ask question?• What exactly do I hope to find out each question?• Is the question open enough to encourage participation and general

discussion

Sample of interview guideline • What do you feel about group discussion method?• Do you often contribute to the group discussion? why?• Lecture or group discussion .Which method that you

prefer to learn? WHY?

Questionnaire

• Questionnaires are conducted in order to provide the researcher with numerical data in particular issue

Example of questionnaire1. agree strongly 2.agree 3.disagree 4. disagree strongly

Questions1 2 3 4

1. I enjoy lecturing than group discussion

2. I do not contribute much for group discussion or group work

3.My teacher is ready to help us in our education

4.I prefer continuous assessment than formative ones

Observation• This method is used to observe people in their natural

setting. It focuses more on their everyday normal life.

Example of observation checklistsFrom your observation answer “yes” or “no” after each item below

Yes/no comments

Was there high teacher involvement?

Did students work together? did students explore their own ideas?

Were the activities decided by the teacher ?

Did the teacher and student decide how to work?

Research diary

This method is used •To keep a detailed history of your research process as it

unfolds;•To enable you to have an overview of progress over a

period of time;

Document AnalysisStudents' performance

Teachers' evaluation or other

What to put in your diary - some examples:

•What you’ve done on a day-to-day basis, described in practical terms;

•Notes from discussions or useful conversations;•Ideas that you might want to remember or follow up;•Reports of observations, experiments, events•Strategic plans for developing ideas;•Personal views and opinions;•Problem analysis;•‘To do’ lists or action plans


Triangulation• Obtain data from

more than one source and show how all the data supports your explanation


Ethical Consideration Ethical practice is moral stance is help to

achieve high professional standards of technical procedures, and also respect and protection for the people actively consenting to be studied

• Informed the participants that all information would be used for research purposes only.

• Got the permission of the participants before recording their voice.

• Informed the respondents that their names would be confidential.

• Checked their willingness to offer information

Activity

How do you prove scientifically if the problem exists or not?(2min)

Example Evidence:-Record review to see how many drop out are

there as a result of the requirements not attendance. Participants:- Dropout from last year

Methods:-FGD/interview

How you will analyze your data?What will you do after gathering data?

What methods of data analysis will you use?

Activity• What methods of analysis will you use ?(2min)

What will you do about what you find?

• Question your interpretation of data and discuss with others.

• Decide on the strategy and try it out

Example• Giving consistent reminder for the candidates about the

importance of fulfilling requirements for their graduation.• And following them up if they provide the requirements

timely.

Activity Propose two actions to solve the problem you identified.

(2min)

What kind of evidence can you produce to show that what you are doing is having an impact

•Gather data regularly and keep records of how you are monitoring and evaluating each cycle

Example• Checking frequently if the requirements are completed

and submitted timely.

Activity• State how you will monitor and check the action

progress .(2min)

• How you evaluate that impact?• Use the data to say how your practice has changed• Say what has improved and how based on the evidence

How will you ensure that any judgments you may make are reasonably fair and accurate?

Consider working with critical friend

• Write resources and reference

Example Evidence:-Record review to see how many drop out are

there as a result of the requirements not attendance.

Activity• In what evidence that will you prove your action has

brought changes.(2 min)

Check if your proposal is SMART

• Is it SPECIFIC?• Is it ACHIEVALE?• Is it MEASUREABLE?• Is it RELEVANT?• Is it TIME BOUND?

Reporting AR project1. ContextWhere did you conduct the AR?2.Statement and rationale of the problem- what did you investigate?-why you chose the problem3.Method-what sort of data did you collect?-How did you collect the data

4.The findingsWhat have you found out?5.ImplementationWhat did you do to improve/change the practice?6. EvaluationHow you check the progress as result of the action

you took7.ImplicationWhat change you have seen?How will the research affect what you will do next?


How do you evaluate an action research study?• Does the project clearly address a problem or issue in practice that

needs to be solved?• Does that action researcher collect sufficient data to help address

the problem?• Did the researcher collaborate with others during the study?• 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 researcher enhabced the licves of the participants by

empowering them, changing them, or providing them with new understanding?


AR evaluation….cont´d• Did the action research actually lead them to change or

did a solution to a problem make a difference?• Did the author report the action research to audiences

who might use the information?


Thanks!

Documents

Action Research for HDP