1. Eloise Forster, Ed.D. Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA)
ACTION RESEARCH
Eloise Forster, Ed.D.
Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA)

2. What is Action Research?
Action Research is a disciplined process of inquiry conducted by
and for those responsible for
taking action to assist them
in improving and/or refining their actions.
(Institute for the Study of Inquiry in Education)

3. What is Action Research?
“The process by which practitioners attempt to study their problems scientifically in order to guide, correct, and evaluate their decisions and actions.”
Stephen Covey (1953)

4. Purpose of Action Research . . .
Building the Reflective Practitioner:
Systematically using data to investigate factors affecting school effectiveness, teaching, and learning fosters continuous professional growth and development

5. Purpose of Action Research . . .
Making Progress on
School-wide Priorities:
When a staff shares a commitment to achieving excellence with a specific focus on pedagogical issues, then collaboratively studying their practice will not only contribute to the achievement of the shared goals but also has a powerful impact on teambuilding and program development.

6. Purpose of Action Research . . .
Building Professional Cultures:
Helps transform schools into a learning organization by engaging in independent and collaborative research and share findings with colleagues as a learning community
Team Learning
Multiple action research inquiries occurring simultaneously

7. The 7-Step Action Research Process . . .
1. Selecting a Focus
Selecting elements of school and instructional practice or aspects of student learning that are worthy of investigation as areas for improvement
Writing a problem statement that clearly articulates the issues and problems related to the selected focus

8. The 7-Step Action Research Process . . .
2. Clarifying Theories
Review of the research and literature to identify the values, beliefs, theoretical perspectives, and effective strategies and practices related to the selected focus for the action research project.

9. The 7-Step Action Research Process . . .
3. Identifying Research Questions
Formulating a set of clearly defined and well articulated research questions related to the problem statement that will guide the inquiry

10. The 7-Step Action Research Process . . .
4. Collecting Data
Reasonable validity (the information represents what the researchers say it does) and reliability (the researchers are confident about the accuracy of the data based on consistent results)
Techniques used to collect data are aligned appropriate for the unique characteristics of the school and student population

11. The 7-Step Action Research Process . . .
5. Analyzing Data
Not reliant on complex statistical calculations
User-friendly procedures help practitioners systematically identify trends and patterns in action research data

12. The 7-Step Action Research Process . . .
6. Reporting Results
Sharing action research supports collegiality and professional contribution to the collective knowledge base regarding school improvement, teaching, and learning

13. The 7-Step Action Research Process . . .
7. Taking Informed Action
Action Planning for improvement of schools, teaching, and student learning based on data analysis that systematically leads to logical findings and informed conclusions upon which one can base actions

14. Choosing An Action Research Topic . . .
Selection of an appropriate research topic should meet three criteria:
Involves an issue within the scope of the researcher’s authority (educational leadership, teaching, and learning)
Addresses a matter that the educator is personally and passionately concerned about
Involves a matter that will lead to improvement of schools, teaching, and learning

15. Developing the Problem Statement . . .
Formulating concise questions that address the following:
Who is affected by the problem? (target populations)
What is the nature of the problem? (organizational, instructional, etc.)
What is the suspected cause of the problem?
What, if anything, is intended to address the problem?
What is the primary goal for improvement?
What do you need or want to know about the problem?

16. Data Collection to Answer Research Questions. . .
First, look for data where it already exists.
Think of data as artifacts of evidence of existing conditions.
Consider various types of data to ensure a comprehensive view of what currently exists.
Develop a plan for data collection and analysis.
Respect confidentiality and individual privacy as appropriate.

17. Types of Data . . . Student Records Teacher Records Test Data
Observational Data (i.e. journals, open-ended and predefined observation checklists)
Anecdotal Data
Rating Scales

18. Creating Data Collection Instruments to Answer Research Questions . . .
Shadowing (observe things from another person’s perspective)
Rating Scales & Rubrics to assess student work
Teacher and Student Journals
Logs

19. Probes . . .
Digging deeper to find out what is going on under the surface:
Written Surveys
Individual Interviews
Focus Group Interviews

20. Building a Valid & Reliable Data Collection Plan . . .
Ensuring Validity
Are there any factors or intervening variables that should cause me to distrust this data?
Ensuring Reliability
Is this information an accurate representation of reality?
Can I think of any reasons to be suspicious of its accuracy?
Triangulation
Use of multiple independent data sources to establish truth and accuracy

21. Data Analysis . . .
Based on your Triangulated Data Collection Plan and Matrix, answer two key questions:
What is the story embedded in my data?
What factors significantly influenced this story?

22. Analysis of Action Research . . .
Raw data can be enormous in scope and requires organization:
Coding and characterizing data (sorting into categories)
Using an Analysis Matrix to sift through and organize data
Make a List of Findings as narrative, factual statements that surfaced during during data sorting
Organize Findings according to Research Questions

23. Checking Data . . .
When data analysis is nearly complete, an additional validity check is needed:
“Member Checking” -- asking the members of the population being studied for their reaction to the findings

24. Revisiting Your Theory . . .
After “member checking”, it is time to consider your original theory and contrast it with your data and findings
Revise your theory as needed

25. Action Planning . . . Given what I now know, what should I do?
Develop your action plan as an improvement plan for the school, and for teaching and learning based on your data and findings

26. Action Research Report . . .
Executive Summary
Narrative (Problem Statement, Research Questions, Methodology, Relevant Research and Literature, List of Findings and Conclusions, Action (Improvement) Plan
Presentation of Data (may be included in narrative or appendices, e.g. charts, graphs)

27. Dissemination . . .
Key questions for sharing with the professional community:
Why are you interested in this topic?
What are significant factors regarding the setting where the research was conducted?
What were the research questions that guided the study?
What were your judgments based upon? What techniques were used to collect and analyze data?
How did the data analysis inform your conclusions?
What did you learn?
What are you planning to do now?