ACTION RESEARCH

What is action research?

Action research is a form of investigation designed for use by
teachers to attempt to solve problems and improve professional
practices in their own classrooms. It involves systematic
observations and data collection which can be then used by the
practitioner-researcher in reflection, decision-making and the
development of more effective classroom strategies. (Parsons and
Brown, 2002)

Parsons, Rick D., and Kimberlee S. Brown. Teacher as Reflective Practitioner and Action
Researcher. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2002

What is action research?

Action Research is a fancy way of saying
let's study what's happening at our
school and decide how to make it a
better place. - Emily Calhoun (1994)

Calhoun, Emily (1994).How to use action research in the self-renewing school.

Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Teachers use action research because:

1. It deals with their own problems
2. It can start now or whenever they are ready providing immediate
results
3. Action research provides them with opportunities to better
understand, and therefore improve, their educational practices
4. Provides educators with alternative ways of viewing and
approaching educational questions providing a new way of
examining their own practices.

Adapted from Mertler, C.A. & Charles, C.M., (2008) Introduction to education research, 6th Edition, Allyn & Bacon, Boston,
Mass, page 308.

Why AR?
AR gives educators new opportunities to reflect on and assess their teaching;
To explore and test new ideas, methods, and materials;
To assess how effective the new approaches were;
To share feedback with fellow team members;
To make decisions about which new approaches to include in the practice.

Source from Mertler, C.A. & Charles, C.M., (2008)

Introduction to education research,
6th Edition, Allyn & Bacon, Boston, Mass, page 308

Figure 1: One ideal action research cycle

i) Planning
identifying the issue to be changed
looking elsewhere for information. Similar projects
may be useful, as might professional reading.
ii) Acting
trialling the change following your plan
collecting and compiling evidence
questioning the process and making changes as
required.

iii) Observing
analysing the evidence and collating the findings
discussing the findings with co-researchers
and /or colleagues for the interpretation
writing the report
iv) Reflecting
evaluating the first cycle of the process
implementing the findings or new strategy