1. Facts about Action Research Renée N. Jefferson Associate Professor School of Education

2. Outline Research Quantitative & Qualitative Research Action Research Differences among Quantitative, Qualitative, and Action Research Action Research Review Action Research Plan Example

3. What is Research? a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding Cambridge Dictionaries Online, Cambridge University Press, 2003

4. Quantitative and Qualitative Research Quantitative Research Test hypotheses related to theories Education, Business, Science, Engineering Qualitative Research Understand and interpret phenomena in natural settings Generate hypotheses

5. What is Action Research? Action Research is not… answer to all research problems answer to some research problems a LOT easier than Quantitative Research a LOT easier than Qualitative Research

6. What is Action Research? Investigate and improve practice

7. Who are Action Researchers? Classroom Teachers College/University Faculty Administrators Scientists Counselors

8. Differences Among Quantitative, Qualitative and Action Research Investigator Role Participants/Subjects Types of Data Assumptions

9. Investigator Role Quantitative Research Objective observer who studies others Qualitative Research Studies others through immersion in research setting Action Research Studies self and others

10. Participants Quantitative Research Random sample selected from a large population Qualitative Research Purposive sample based on the intent of the study Action Research Purposive sample with the researcher considered a participant

11. Types of Data Quantitative Research Objective, numerical Qualitative Research Artifacts, observations, interviews Action Research Observations, interviews, objective

12. Assumptions Quantitative Research generalizations Qualitative Research Understand phenomenon under study Action Research Reflect and act, continually improving practice

13. Action Research Review Study Self and Others Purposive Sample Variety of Data Sources Improve Practice Action Research Study Plan

14. Questions?