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Quality assurance of Professional Practice through Action Research:. A Conceptual Analysis. What is Action Research ?.
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Quality assurance of Professional Practice through Action Research: A Conceptual Analysis
What is Action Research ? It is a reflective practice of a practitioner where he/she perceives, understands, assesses and handles a dissatisfactory situation. With this the dissatisfactory situation will be minimised or satisfactory situation will be maximized.
Objectives of Action ResearchIt enables a practitioner to Solve a problem on hand which is causing dissatisfaction Try a new strategy in solving the problem Make the new tested strategy a part of your natural practice
Action Research SpiralModel Used SPIRAL 1 Reflection & Decision making 10 Dissatisfaction state felt 1 Evaluation 9 Analyse the problem 2 8 Implementation Understand causes 3 7 Planning for intervention 4 Develop propositions 6 5 Action Hypothesis Prioritise propositions SPIRAL 2
1. Perception of the Problem/dissatisfied state The practitioner perceives a dissatisfactory situation as he/ she is a professional willing to change from the present level to a higher level.
2. Analysis of dissatisfaction (a) Nature of dissatisfaction (b) Extent of dissatisfaction ( c)Intensity of dissatisfaction (d) Actual number of clients in whom changes are to be brought about, etc.
3. Probable Causes List out all probable causes from all possible angles one by one.
4. Develop Propositions (1) A proposition is a tentative theory based on the probable causes. (2) Here identify all listed probable causes and segregate them based on whether the practitioner can do some thing about the cause or not. (3) Based on the sets of causes develop tentative theories attempting to interlink all causes in stating how the dissatisfaction has probably aroused.
5. Prioritization of a proposition Among the developed propositions, only one needs to be prioritized as the action hypothesis will have to be developed based on this.
6. Action Hypothesis Is a statement of conjecture where the proposed intervention is stated as capable of minimizing the problem or elevating the situation from a dissatisfactory condition to a satisfactory condition.
7. Planning for Action Research What to plan? • Time • Human resources and materials • Collaborators • Tools and techniques • Intervention activities • Collection of evidence
Why is planning necessary? Planning is necessary for the following reasons: It • gives direction to the AR study. • enables advance preparations. • ensures optimal efficiency. • facilitates achieving economyof time and effort. • minimises ad-hoc decisions, digressions and wastage. • enables monitoring of the study. • ensures smooth sailing of the study.
Aspects of Planning • Subjects • Action Hypothesis • Intervention strategies • Scheduling of activities/tasks • Listing and procuring resources • Anticipated problems and contingency plan
Tools and techniques in ARWhat kinds of tools? • Achievement test • Diagnostic test • Psychological tests • Questionnaires • Interview schedules • Checklists
What techniquescan be used to gather evidence in AR studies? • Interview • Video-Recording • Observation • Tape Recorder
8. Execution of the Intervention • Execute the intervention as planned. • Keep all the precautions in mind. • Note down/record all intended processes. • Terminate each session smoothly.
What next? • Collection of evidence/data • Scoring and tabulation • Graphical representation of data
Graphical representation of data • Bar Diagram • Histogram • Polygon • Pie Diagram
9. EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INTERVENTION • What kind of data do we need to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention? - Comprehensive (Both qualitative and quantitative) - Dependable - Relevant - Objective - Drawn from multiple Sources
Practitioner’s Diary Practitioner is expected to maintain a diary. S/he records all events everyday as vividly as possible. A reading different pages will be able to give a running picture of situation is changing/not changing. This is enough to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention.
Diary Format • Intervention No 6 • Date • Intervention given: • Reflection:
Descriptive statistics only!!No Inferential statistics in AR • Descriptive measures are apt for intact groups studied in Action Research. • The measure(s) describe the group studied only. • Inferential statistics has no place in AR as samples are not studied.
10. Reflection • Is the new Practice effective? • Should I continue with my old practice? • Is the solution to the impending problem effective? • Did the intervention bring about improvement to a satisfactory level? • Is there a scope for enhancing my competence further?
What went right and what went wrong? Was my understanding of the problem, causes, interventions all correct?
10. Decision Making • Shall I terminate the intervention? • Shall I not effect a change in the existing practice? • Shall I incorporate the new tested intervention in my functioning? • Shall I try another strategy? • Are there more effective ways of achieving the goals? • What changes should I make in the next spiral?
Should I move to the next spiral? How can I make my effective intervention a part of my natural practice? What changes I have to bring about in order to naturalize the tested interventions?
Characteristics of AR • It is a small scale intervention made by a practitioner. • AR is undertaken in a specific context. The findings are NOT GENERALIZABLE. • AR is a reflective practice that enhances one’s own efficiency. • AR is practitioner’s privilege. • AR proceeds in spiral(s).
It is a management mantra It eliminates monotony of practice Any practitioner can undertake AR AR can not be enforced by others
Misconceptions about AR AR can improve others. Only school teachers can conduct AR. AR involves money in all cases. AR is conducted based on the advise or orders of higher ups. AR can fetch a degree. AR is a one time affair. Sophisticated tools and techniques are necessary in AR. Rigorous training is a must in AR.
WHY ACTION RESEARCH? It is because it; • improves one’s own professional skills. • improves the learning environment. • enhances the quality and/or quantity of desired results. • solves an immediate problem. • provides local-specific solutions. • facilitates overall effectiveness of practice of a profession.
Contexts of Action Research • All Professions and professionals • In Education,Teachers too. • (1) Classroom level • (2) HM- School level • (3) CRC, BRC, BEO, DEO, … CPI level • (4) Teacher-Educators’ level • (5) Educational planners, managers, administrators’ level
Why should I Conduct Action Research? Are you a professional? Are you a reflective practitioner? Do you desire to improve your professional skills? Are you dissatisfied with what you have been doing? Do you want to be more effective in your functioning? Do you want your action to yield better results? Do you want to work systematically while addressing a problem on hand? Are you unhappy with the status quo? Do you want, as a professional, to evaluate your actions objectively?
If your answer is ‘YES’ • Then you will start seriously thinking about Action Research and you will remain a ‘Reflective Practitioner’ and be able to assure quality in your profession.