1. An introduction to action research
HIED 6510
Dr. Allen Guidry
ECU

2. What is action research?
Two purposes
Solve and immediate problem
Progressive problem-solving through reflection

3. The primary concern of action research is to change the organization (the classroom) by marrying problem solving with appropriate data collection techniques
This is an attempt to get away from teachers using a “hunch” to solve a problem

4. Action research in school
In education, action research is typically teachers doing research in their classrooms – it is not some outside expert sampling variables
For this reason, I am in favor of the term “quality improvement”

5. But it is still research informed by research practices – it is quasi-experimental research
Dependent variables – that which we are measuring (might be considered “outcomes” in some circumstances)
“What do we want to measure change in?”
Independent variables – that which we change (we will call it a “treatment”)
“What will we employ to affect that change?”
Control variables – that which remains the same (we don’t measure this)
Extraneous variables – those things which may affect the dependent variable

6. How can we measure that change?
Qualitative – observing phenomena; telling stories from reflections
Quantitative – measuring change through numbers and hard data (test scores, quantifiable metrics)

7. Beginning your journey into action research…
What is an issue in classrooms that you might investigate through action research?
What makes this issue stand out to you? What have you observed that has caused this issue to stand out to you?
What do you need to know further about this issue in order to fully understand it? What are some ways that other people have dealt with this issue?

8. Next steps…
Read the “Action Research Guidelines” document carefully and retain for future reference
Complete the first page of the “Action Research Prospectus” document by next class
If you want to take a stab at a research question for now, go ahead, but realize it must be formatted in a very specific way. We’ll discuss as we move forward.