Outline Structure of Action Research Project Trudy Corrigan October 2008

What is the overall structure of my Project? What aspects of my Action Research Project will be included in each chapter?

Here is a Sample Project structure Remember use this as a guideline as you might want to include different contents based on your own individual Project.

The Overall Chapter Structure is as follows… This template is designed to help you with your own Action Research Project

Overall Structure of a Research Project.  Title  Abstract  Chapter 1 Introduction  Chapter 2.Literature Review  Chapter3.Methodolog y  Chapter4. Findings  Chapter5.Discussions  Chapter 6..Recommendations

Title  What is your Title?  Does this clearly represent the overall aim of your Project?  Does your title ask a question that has been in some way addressed through your Project?

Chapter 1: Introduction  What is the OVERVIEW of your Project?  Have you tried to improve or address an issue of concern to you and others?  Does your Abstract provide a CLEAR overview of your Project?

 Does your Introduction tell the Reader about the overall aim of your project?  Does it link with your Title?  Does it link with your OVERVIEW ie Abstract?

Chapter 2: Literature Review  What Literature have you used to demonstrate your understanding of your Research Topic?  Have you read widely ie as far as time limitations would allow you to do so?

Literature Review  What Literature have you read ie Policy Documents,Internet Resources,Books, Journals?  Have you found the Literature useful?  Why?  How does the Literature LINK with your Research topic?

Chapter3:Methodology  What is your understanding of Action Research?  How is the use of Action Research Informed your Project?

Methodology  Why have you chosen to use Action Research for your Project?  What Model of Action Research did you use?  (Remember we will be covering Action Research in both the full-time and evening class over the coming weeks)

Methodology  What METHODS did you use?  Did you use Questionnaires?  Did you use Focus Groups?  Did you use Interviews?

Methodology  Did you use Quantitative Methods ie Bar Charts,  Diagrams  Did you use MIXED METHODS?  Did you use Qualitative Methods only ie Questionnaire or,  Focus Groups or  Interviews

Methodology  Why did you use these Methods for your Project?  What determined your choice of Method?

Chapter 4:Discussions  Discuss what you observed?  Discuss what you discovered based on your Research Methods?  Did you identify Gaps or aspects that could be Improved based on your use of Research Methods?

Chapter 5:Findings  Based on your use of Research Methods, what has this now contributed to your knowledge of your Research topic?  Has it informed your reading of the Literature?

Findings  Has this informed your understanding of your Research Project title?  What has this process taught you about yourself?

Chapter6:Recommendations  What Recommendations can you include in this chapter based on your observations/use of Research Methods?  Can you suggest an Improvement that might be implemented in the future?

Recommendations  What have you learned about yourself through the process of your Action Research Project?

Remember….  This Powerpoint is designed to provide you with guidelines  You can decide to include Chapters 5 and 6 as ONE chapter.

Remember…  This is a SMALL project of 5,000 words  Therefore…..  While you must adhere to the structure of Academic Research Projects, do keep your work Manageable

Final Point  What do I include at the back of my Project?

Bibliography and Reference  Do include a bibliography and reference.  This is very important.

 Do include an Appendix at the back of your Project.  This will include sample Questionnaires or any other Data Collection Tools which you have used.

Final Point  Confidentiality and Ethical guidelines should be adhered to at every stage of the Project.  Participants should be made aware that information given by them will be treated as confidential.

Enjoy your Project  Remember that this Project contributes to your overall understanding of Academic Research and Excellence.  It contributes to your own Professional Development and Self-Reflective Practice  Best wishes with it!