fundamental, applied and action research
DESCRIPTION
Fundamental, Applied and Action Research by Dr Akhilesh Kumar, Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, KotaTRANSCRIPT
Fundamental, Applied and
Action Research
Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
Research???
3
Research generates knowledge in order to:
action change within a
system
pave the way for change
build broader
understanding
Basic or pure research
Action research Critical / radical
ethnography
Applied / evaluativeresearch participatory/
emancipatorytechnical/ practical
emancipate through action
expose and change the dominate system
Types of Research
Criteria
Types
On the basis of Objectives
Fundamental Research
Applied Research
Action Research
On the Basis of Nature of Data
Qualitative Research
Quantitative research
On the basis of Nature of Findings
Explanatory Research
Exploratory Research
Descriptive Research
On the basis Experimental manipulations
Experimental Research
Non-Experimental Research
On the basis of approach involved
Longitudinal Research
Cross Sectional Research
Basic vs. Applied Research
Basic / Fundamental Research – type of research that may have limited direct application but in which the researcher has careful control of the conditions
Applied research – type of research that has direct value to practitioners but in which the researcher has limited control over the research setting
Fundamental / Basic Research
Basic / Fundamental / Pure researchSalient Features:
Based on the belief ‘Knowledge for the knowledge’s sake’. Collection and analysis of data to develop or enhance theory Advancement of knowledge. Take place in a sterile environment Understanding of theoretical relationship between variables Exploratory in nature Without any pre-assumption of any utility.Examples:
Piaget Theory of Cognitive Development Experiment of Pavlov (Classical Conditioning theory) Gardner’s multiple intelligences
Applied Research
Salient Features:Solve specific, practical questionsCan be exploratory, but usually descriptiveInvolves precise measurement of the characteristics and
describes relationships between variables of a studied phenomenon
Collection and analysis of data to examine the usefulness of theory in solving practical educational problems Examples
Developing a seventh grade social studies curriculum around a problem-solving approach to learning
Examining the effectiveness of a computer-based algebra program developed around a mastery learning approach
Accommodating varied learning styles when teaching lessons in modern literature
Relationship between Basic & Applied Research
The interaction of basic and applied research Basic research provides the theory that produces the
concepts for solving educational problems Applied research provides the data to help support,
guide, and revise the development theory Doing basic research ensures that applied researchers
do not need to reinvent the wheel every time they start on a new project, because the groundwork has been done.
Comparisons:
Basic ResearchDomain- driven -
intended to lead theoretical dvpt
Justified in terms of gaining knowledge for its sake – they focus on making things better and creating a more humane society
The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge
Applied Research Demand-driven –
intended to lead to soln of specific problems
Designed to solve practical problems of the modern world
Can take the research basic research further based on the results, where applicable
Comparisons…
Basic ResearchDone for the intellectual pleasure of learning
Mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory
Applied Research Done to test theories in the field to achieve
better validity. Aims at finding a solution for an immediate
problem facing a society
Comparisons…
BasicDirected towards
finding information that has broad base of applications
No commercial value attached to the discoveries that result from basic research.
AppliedThe central aim is to discover a solution for
some pressing practical problem There is commercial value, e.g. research to
improve agricultural crop production
Comparisons…
Basic AnalyticInvolves a search
for enduring or general truths
Exploration
AppliedSyntheticEntails a search for pragmatics solutions to
particular problemsEntirely a pursuit of social concerns
Definition of Action Research
John Best & Kahn: “Action research is focused on the immediate application and not on the development of theory. It has placed its emphasis on a real problem in a local setting. Its finding are to be evaluated in terms of local applicability, not in terms of universal validity”
What is action research?
Action research is systematic inquiry done by teachers (or other individuals in an educational setting) to gather information about, and subsequently improve, the ways their particular educational setting operates, how they teach, and how well their students learn (Mills, 2000).
Action Research
‘Action research is simply a form of self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in social situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own practices, their understanding of these practices, and the situations in which the practices are carried out’
(Carr and Kemmis 1986).
Reflective teaching is a process of developing lessons or assessing student learning with thoughtful consideration of educational theory, existing research, and practical experience, along with the analysis of the lesson’s effect on student learning (Parsons & Brown, 2002).
Action Research
It is a process for studying practical problems of social studies.
It is a scientific procedure for finding out a practical solution of current problem.
The practitioner can only study his problem.It is a personal research for clinical research work.The focus is to improve and modify the current
practices.The individual and group problems studied by
action research.It does not contribute to the fund of knowledge.
Lewin’s Model of AR
Calhaun’s AR cycle
Bachman’s AR Cycle
Riel’s AR Model
Action Research History
Kurt Lewin(1946) credit with development of concept of action research
Evolved and influenced by Kemmis(1983), Ebbutt (1985), Elliott (1991), Hopkins (1985) and others…
Types of Action Research
Action Research
Participatory Practical
•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
Action research: Data collection techniques
Action ResearchData Collection Techniques
(The Three E’s)
Experiencing EnquiringExamining
(By observing)(By asking)
(By using records)
Participant Observation (Active participant)
Passive Observer
Informal Interview Structured formal Interview Questionnaires Attitude Scales Standardized Tests
Archival documents JournalsMapsAudio and VideotapesArtifacts
Fieldnotes
Research
Applied Research
Action Researc
h
Fundamental / Basic
Research
References
Best, J.W.(2013) Research Methods in Education, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi
Cohen,L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education, Routledge, London, 1st Ed.
Gay, L.R., (1992) Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application, Merill-Macmillan, New York, 4th Ed.
McNiff, J. & Whitehead J., (2002) Actiona Research: Principle & Practices, Routledge-Falmer, London, 1st Ed.
Norton, S.L., (2009) Action Research in Teaching and Learning: A Practical Guide to Conducting Pedagogical Research in Universities, Routledge, London,1st Ed.
Paneerselvam, R. (2012). Research Methodology, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi, 10th Ed.
Questions?????
Thank You!!