Action Research Designs Chapter 18 Action Research Designs Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

A Brief History of Action Research for Teachers and Schools Teacher and school inquiries (e.g. teacher initiated research studies) 2000’s 1990’s School-based site councils (e.g. School committees Professional inquiry by teachers (e.g. self-study) 1980’s 1970’s In-service days (e.g. teacher staff development activities Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Types of Action Research Designs Practical Participatory Studying local practices Involving individual or team based inquiry Focusing on teacher development and student learning Implementing a plan of action Leading to the teacher-as-researcher Studying social issues that constrain individual lives Emphasizing equal collaboration Focusing on “life enhancing” changes” Resulting in the emancipated researcher Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Mill’s (2000) Action Research Spiral Identify an Area of Focus Develop an Action Plan Collect Data Analyze and Interpret Data Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Stringer’s (1999) Action Research Interacting Spiral Think Look Act Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of Action Research Focus on practical issues The study of educator-researcher’s own practices Collaboration between researcher and participants Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of Action Research Dynamic process of spiraling back and forth among reflection, data collection, and action Development of a plan of action to respond to a practical issue Sharing of research report with local school, community, and educational personnel Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Collaborative Teams in Action Research Students Community Stakeholders Teachers Collaborative Team Parents Staff Administrators Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study Determine if action research is the best design to use. Identify the problem to study Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Points of Entry into an Action Research Project Identifying “Problem” Collecting Data Evaluating Existing Data Taking Action Point of Entry Point of Entry Point of Entry Point of Entry Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study Locate resources to help address the problem Identify the information you will need Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

A Taxonomy of Action Research Data Collection Techniques (The Three E’s) Experiencing Enquiring Examining (Through observation and field notes) When the researcher asks Using and making records Informal Interview Archival documents Participant observation (Active participant) Structured formal Interview Journals Maps Privileged, active observer Questionnaires Audio and Videotapes Attitude Scales Standardized Tests Artifacts Passive observer Fieldnotes Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study Implement the data collection Analyze the data Develop a plan for action Implement the plan and reflect Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Criteria for Evaluating Action Research Does the project clearly address a problem or issue in practice that needs to be solved? Did the action researcher collect sufficient data to address the problem? Did the action researcher collaborate with others during the study? Was there respect for all collaborators? Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Criteria for Evaluating Action Research 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 research enhanced the lives of the participants by empowering them, changing them, or providing them with new understanding? Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Criteria for Evaluating Action Research Did the action research actually lead to change or did a solution to a problem make the difference? Was the action research reported to audiences who might use the information? Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Applying What you Have Learned: Action Research Study Review the article and look for the following: The research problem and use of quantitative research Use of the literature The purpose statement and research hypothesis Types and procedures of data collection Types and procedures of data analysis and interpretation The overall report structure Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.