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Change Begins with You: What Action Research Is and How to Fund It

Change Begins with You: What Action Research Is and How to Fund It. Caroline Herbert, Chairperson NCSLMA Research Committee October 30, 2008. What is Action Research?.

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Change Begins with You: What Action Research Is and How to Fund It

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  1. Change Begins with You: What Action Research Is and How to Fund It Caroline Herbert, Chairperson NCSLMA Research Committee October 30, 2008

  2. What is Action Research? • According to IMPACT: “Action research involves the in-depth study of one’s own classroom or school over an established period of time.” • From Action Research: A Guide for Library Media Specialists: “Action research is the vehicle the library media specialist uses to analyze a situation and determine what needs to be done to address the issue.”

  3. Traditional vs. Action Research

  4. Traditional vs. Action Research

  5. Benefits of Action Research • Reflective practice leads to the further development and improvement of our programs. • It confirms that our programs promote student achievement. • It is a personal solution to problems in the school; problem solving at the local level.

  6. Disadvantages of Action Research • Data collection does take time. • Reliability and validity could be concerns. • No university backing.

  7. So, How Do I Choose a Topic? • What’s your “itch”? • Does the topic revolve around student achievement? • Is the topic within your professional scope? • Does it just deal with the library program or the school as a whole? • Reflective writing can be helpful.

  8. From “Itch” to Research Question • Develop a problem statement. • Brainstorm all of the possible questions. • Choose the question that most matches what you want to achieve.

  9. Sample Research Questions • How does a flexible schedule affect student achievement? • How does allowing students to place materials on hold affect library use? • What happens if the circulation period is changed from two weeks to four weeks? • How does Sustained Silent Reading impact students’ love of reading? • What instruction is needed to increase the use of online databases?

  10. How Will I Collect the Data? • Collecting data from more than one source increases the reliability and validity of the study. • Possible sources of data: questionnaires, interviews, observations, and archival data. • Develop data collection methods to focus on your research question.

  11. Questionnaires • Quick and easy way to gather large amounts of data • Include different types of questions (what do you know, what do you think, how do you feel) • Questions can be open-ended or closed-response • Avoid leading questions

  12. Interviews • You are able to ask clarifying or elaborative questions. • You are able to collect information from those who would not or could not fill out a questionnaire. • Can be time-consuming. • Can unintentionally cause bias in answers due to lack of anonymity.

  13. Observations • You can actively or passively observe. • You can use a checklist. • You can see what is actually happening not just what is being reported. • Data can be videotaped for later study.

  14. Archival Data • Examples are data in cumulative folders, student test data, circulation statistics, etc. • Less subjective than other types of data. • Be careful to uphold the confidentiality of such records.

  15. Determining Outcomes • Take the analyzed data and plan your next steps. • How will this research be used to improve programs? • Can this research be generalized to other libraries or settings? • What recommendations can be made based on the findings?

  16. Tooting Your Own Horn • Share your results! • Present the results to your staff. • Share your findings at a district-wide meeting. • Share your findings at a professional conference. • Publish your findings in a professional journal.

  17. OK, I Think I’m Ready! Now What? • The NCSLMA Action Research Grant • A brief history • Goal of the program • The Action Research Grant is up to a $1,000 grant to fund the Action Research project of one NCSLMA member per school year.

  18. Action Research Grant Timeline • Jan. 2009– Request for Proposals is broadcast to the NCSLMA membership • Apr. 2009 – Proposals due to the Research Committee chairperson • May 2009 – Research Committee reviews and scores the proposals • June 2009 – Winner is announced! • Aug. 2009-May 2010 – Project is implemented, research conducted • August 2010 – Submit article to NCSLMA newsletter • November 2010 – Present findings at NCSLMA conference

  19. Useful Resources • Farmer, L.S.J. (2003). How to Conduct Action Research: A Guide for Library Media Specialists. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. • Howard, J.K. & Eckhardt, S.A. (2005). Action Research: A Guide for Library Media Specialists. Worthington, OH: Linworth Publishing. • Sykes, J.A. (2000). Action research: A Practical Guide for Transforming Your School Library. Greenwood Village, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

  20. Useful Websites • Action Research • http://www.southernct.edu/~brownm/act1.html • Classroom Action Research Overview • http://mypage.iusb.edu/~gmetteta/Classroom_Action_Research.html • David V. Loertscher’s Website • http://www.davidvl.org • Seven Stages in My First Action Research Project • http://educ.queensu.ca/projects/action_research/michael.htm

  21. Questions? • Ask now! • Contact me later: Caroline Herbert, Media Coordinator Oak Grove Elementary School 3810 Wake Forest Rd. Durham, NC 27703 (919) 560-3960, ext. 60235 caroline.herbert@dpsnc.net

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