The Purpose of Action Research

Contributes to the theory & knowledge base to enhance practiceSupports the professional development of practitionersBuilds a collegial networking systemHelps practitioners identify problems & seek solutions systematicallyCan be used at all levels & in all areas of education

Formal Research vs. Action Research

Skills neededGoalsHow the research problem is identifiedLiterature review

Selection of participantsResearch designData collectionData analysisApplication of results

Skills Needed

General research skills:Ability to design researchAbility to develop instrumentsAbility to select subjects (if necessary)Ability to collect dataAbility to analyze data

Goals

Goals…Overall goal should be to solve a problemInclude collaborationProfessional developmentEnhance professional practice

Identifying the Problem

First, select a general idea or area of focus:should involve teaching and learningshould be within your locus of controlshould be something you feel passionate aboutshould be something you would like to change or improve

Identifying the ProblemSecond, do Reconnaissance:

Explore your understanding of theories, your educational values, how your work fits into the larger context of schooling, the historical context of your school, the history of the development of your ideas about teaching and learningDescribe the Who, What, When & Where of the situation you want to changeExplain the Why of the situation

Proactive Action Research

A new practice is tried to bring improved outcomesHopes & concerns are incorporatedData are collected regularly to track changes

Reflection on alternatives takes placeAnother practice is triedProcess begins again

Responsive Action Research

Data collected to diagnose situationData analyzed for themes & ideasData distributed & changes to be tried announced

New practice triedReactions checkedData collected to diagnoseProcess begins again

The Process of Action Research

Identify the problem; select an area of focus.Review the related research literature.Collect the data.Organize, analyze & interpret the data.Take the action (apply the findings).

Overview

Identify theproblem or area

Review relatedresearch literature Collect data

Organize, analyze& interpret

Take action;apply findings

Identify the ProblemSelect the Area of Focus

Determine & describe the current situationDiscussNegotiateExplore opportunitiesAssess possibilitiesExamine constraints

Review the Related Literature

Become familiar with other research done on the area of focusUtilize the findings of others to help develop the planApply research findings through the lens of others’ experience

Collect the Data

Using a variety of data collection strategies, gather information that will contribute to the findingsTriangulateData should be analyzed as it is collected

Organize, Analyze & Interpret the Data

As the data is collected, it is also continually organized & analyzedAs new perspectives are gained on the original area of focus, the problem statement may changeInterpretation is based on ongoing analysis & continually reviewing the area of focus

Take Action; Apply Findings

Draw conclusions from the data analyzedTranslate conclusions into actions or behaviorsPlan how to implement the actions or behaviorsDo it!

Planning Action Research1. Write an area-of-

focus statement.2. Define the

variables.3. Develop research

questions.4. Describe the

intervention or innovation.

5. Describe the action research group.

6. Describe the negotiations that need to happen.

7. Develop a timeline.

8. Develop a statement of resources.

9. Develop data collection ideas.

10. Put action plan into action.

Area-of-Focus StatementIdentifies the purpose of the studyIdentifies the anticipated outcomeIdentifies the problem to be addressedCompletes the statement: “The purpose of this study is…”

Define the Variables

Write definitions of exactly what you will address.Definitions should accurately represent what factors, contexts & variables mean to you.Be clear about what is being studied, so that you know it when you see it!

The Research QuestionsDevelop questions that “breathe life” into the area-of-focus statement.Research questions should be open-ended!Research questions help give a focus to the plan.They also help validate that you have a workable plan.

Intervention or Innovation

Describe your proposed solution to the initial problem.This is just a statement about what you will do to address the teaching and learning issue you have identified.In “formal research” this would be the experimental treatment.

The Action Research Group

Who will you be working with?Why is each member important to the study?What will be the roles & responsibilities of each member?

Negotiations

What permissions will you need to secure?Who will be in control of the focus of your study (hopefully, you!)?Who needs to be notified of what?Whose cooperation do you need & how will you get it?

Develop a TimelineThis is the essence of planning!Anticipate where & how your study will take place.Anticipate how long each step will take.Apply predicted time frames to a calendar.

Statement of Resources

What will you need to carry out your study?Resources include time, money, and materials.Make a list before you get started!

Data Collection Ideas

First, decide what kinds of data you will need.Then, determine what kind of access you have to the data.Then, decide how you will gather it.Brainstorm what data naturally occurs in the environment you are studying.

Put the Action Plan into Action

From your analysis of the data you collected, you should have elements and ideas you can apply to a plan.Formulate the plans in collaboration with the Action Research Group.Go for it!

Validity of Action Research

Validity: the degree to which scientific observations actually measure or record what they purport to measure (Pelto & Pelto, 1978, p. 33)Assessing trustworthinessAssessing understanding

Criteria for Assessing ValidityAnderson, Herr & Nihlen:

Democratic validity – require accurate representa-tion of multiple perspectives of all subjectsOutcome validity – requires that action emerging from a study lead to successful resolution of problem being studiedProcess validity – requires that study be conduc-ted in dependable & competent wayCatalytic validity – requires that subjects are moved to take actionDialogic validity – requires application of a peer review process

So, ask yourself…Democratic validity: Have the perspectives of all of the

individuals in the study been accurately represented?

Outcome validity: Did the action emerging from the study lead

to the successful resolution of the problem?

So, ask yourself…Process validity: Was the study conducted in a

dependable & competent manner?Catalytic validity: Were the results of the study a catalyst

for action?Dialogic validity: Was the study reviewed by peers?

Strategies for Meeting the Criteria

Talk Little, Listen a lot!Begin Writing Early!Let Readers “See” for ThemselvesReport FullyBe CandidSeek FeedbackWrite Accurately

(Wolcott, 1994)