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Explore the history, types, steps, and evaluation of action research in education. Understand quantitative and qualitative approaches, research designs, collaborative teams, and data collection techniques. Learn how to conduct an action research study and evaluate its impact.
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Lesson objective • Recap • Describe action research • History • Types • Steps • Explain how to evaluate action research
QUANTITATIVE to explain and predict to test, confirm, and validate theory QUALITATIVE to describe and explain to explore and interpret to build theory Recap: Purpose
Is data numerical or narrative? narrative numerical Cause – effect relationship Past event? no yes no yes Independent variable manipulated? Relationship? Prediction? Historical research Qualitative research : Exploratory Ethnography Case study Grounded Theory yes no no yes Experimental research Causal comparative research Correlational research Descriptive research Ask questions
RQ: What leads some students to be more successful readers than other students?” • “Can I predict who is likely to have reading difficulties?” (Correlation) • “What is the best method of teaching reading?” (Experiment) • “What are the norms for a population for the development of reading skill?” (Descriptive) • “What are the conditions of reading instruction and learning in today’s classrooms?” (Qualitative - ethnography )
A Brief History of Action Research Teacher and school inquiries (e.g. teacher initiated research studies) 2000’s 1990’s School-based site councils (e.g. School committees Professional inquiry by teachers (e.g. self-study) 1980’s In-service days (e.g. teacher staff development activities 1970’s
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 Types of Action Research Designs Action Research Practical Participatory
Think Look Act Stringer’s (1999) Action Research
Mill’s (2000) Action Research Spiral Identify an Area of Focus Develop an Action Plan Collect Data Analyze and Interpret Data
Characteristics of Action Research • Focus on practical issues • The study of educator-researcher’s own practices • Collaboration between researcher and participants
Characteristics of Action Research • Dynamic process of spiraling back and forth among reflection, data collection, and action • Development of a plan of action to respond to a practical issue • Sharing of research report with local school, community, and educational personnel
Collaborative Teams in Action Research Students Community Stakeholders Teachers Collaborative Team Parents Staff Administrators
Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study • Determine if action research is the best design to use. • Identify the problem to study
Collecting Data Evaluating Existing Data Taking Action Point of Entry Point of Entry Point of Entry Points of Entry into an Action Research Project Identifying “Problem” Point of Entry
Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study • Locate resources to help address the problem • Identify the information you will need
Experiencing Enquiring Examining When the researcher asks Using and making records (Through observation and field notes) Archival documents Informal Interview Participant observation (Active participant) Journals Structured formal Interview Maps Active observer Questionnaires Passive observer Audio & videotapes Attitude Scales Standardized Tests Artifacts Fieldnotes A Taxonomy of Action Research Data Collection Techniques Action Research Data Collection Techniques (The Three E’s)
Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study • Implement the data collection • Analyze the data • Develop a plan for action • Implement the plan and reflect
Criteria for Evaluating Action Research • Does the project clearly address a problem or issue in practice that needs to be solved? • Did the action researcher collect sufficient data to address the problem? • Did the action researcher collaborate with others during the study? Was there respect for all collaborators?
Criteria for Evaluating Action Research • Did the plan of action advanced by the researcher build logically from the data? • Is there evidence that the plan of action contributed to the researcher’s reflection as a professional? • Has the research enhanced the lives of the participants by empowering them, changing them, or providing them with new understanding?
Criteria for Evaluating Action Research • Did the action research actually lead to change or did a solution to a problem make the difference? • Was the action research reported to audiences who might use the information?
Next Task : Research Review WORK IN GROUPS ( Max of 3) – Due in 2 weeks
Applying What you Have Learned: ARTICLE REVIEW Find a research report Review the report and look for the following: • The research problem and use of quantitative/qualitative research • Use of the literature • The purpose statement and research hypothesis • Types and procedures of data collection • Types and procedures of data analysis and interpretation • The overall report structure Discuss - Be Critical