Chapter 20 Action Research Gay, Mills, and Airasian Educational Research Chapter 20 Action Research Gay, Mills, and Airasian

Topics Discussed in this Chapter Purposes of action research Benefits of action research Steps in conducting action research Data collection sources and strategies for action research

Purposes of Action Research Increasing knowledge Improving practice Integrates theory, practice, and meaningful application of results

Action Research Defined A structured process in which teachers Identify, Examine, and Improve their own practice

Benefits of Action Research Teachers investigate their own actions Teachers develop deeper understanding of students Teachers are equal partners in improving practice Teachers work cooperatively to identify problems and solutions

Benefits of Action Research (cont.) Teachers are more committed to the research because it addresses problems they identify Strategies can be widely applied Teachers develop professionally Schools improve Can be conducted individually or in groups

Who Conducts Action Research Individual teachers Groups of teachers with similar concerns Whole school

Components of Involvement in Action Research Commitment Collaboration Concern Consideration Change

Rationale for Action Research Everyone needs professional growth opportunity All professionals want to improve All professionals can assume responsibility for their own growth People need and want information about their performance Collaboration enriches professional development

Steps in Conducting Action Research Identify topic Collect data Analyze and interpret data Plan and implement action based on results

Components of Critical Action Research Participatory and democratic Socially responsive Based on everyday practice Liberating and improvement-oriented

Qualities of Action Research Topics Useful Substantive Directly related to problem Information is obtainable Researcher has necessary skills Answer questions Why How what

Data Sources Observation Interview/ Recorded conversation Portfolios Self-reflection/ journals Questionnaires/ surveys Student tests, projects, writings Readily available data

Data Analysis Redundancy/ data saturation Organizing techniques Categories and themes Summarizing

Sharing Findings Informal Formal Writing Furthers insight Useful to others Supports grantsmanship

Action Research Spiral Look Think Act Repeat