Overview of the action research process

1. Overview of theaction research process Chapter 2 Craig A. Mertler SAGE Publications, 2014 Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators (4/e)

2. The Action Research Process • Four stages: • The planning stage • The acting stage • The developing stage • The reflecting stage • Cyclical, not linear, process • Specific steps should serve as guidelines, which should be adapted for certain needs or situations

3. The Action Research Process

4. The Action Research Process • Specific steps within the four stages:

5. The Action Research Process • Specific steps within the four stages: • The planning stage • Step 1: Identifying and limiting a topic • Step 2: Gathering information • Reconnaissance • Step 3: Reviewing the related literature • Step 4: Developing a research plan • Research methodology • Research questions/hypotheses (questions tend to be more appropriate) • Pay close attention to research ethics

6. The Action Research Process • Specific steps (cont’d.): • The acting stage • Step 5: Implementing the plan and collecting data • Field notes, observations, interviews, questionnaires, surveys, existing documents or records, checklists, rating scales, tests, etc. • Step 6: Analyzing the data • Differences between the analysis of quantitative data and qualitative data

7. The Action Research Process • Specific steps (cont’d.): • The developing stage • Step 7: Developing an action plan • The “action” part of action research • Individual- or group-level • The reflecting stage • Step 8: Sharing and communicating results • Formal or informal • Variety of opportunities exist • Step 9: Reflecting on the process

8. The Action Research Process • A brief example of action research “in action” • Traditional versus backward approaches to teaching American history • Steps 1 through 9

9. Action research checklist 2 Action Research Checklist 2: The Action Research Process ☐ Identify specific sources or types of information you could use during reconnaissance. ☐ Obtain several published research articles related to your topic. ☐ List what you see as advantages and limitations of various data collection techniques. ☐ Identify potential audiences with whom you can share the results of your action research.