Question

Describe action research and outline its key features

Many thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Action Research:

Action research is one of those terms that we hear quite often in today’s educational circles.

The process of action research assists educators in assessing needs, documenting the steps of inquiry, analyzing data,and making informed decisions that can lead to desired outcomes.

* Action research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully,using the techniques of research.

* Assumptions:

--> Teachers and principals work best on problems they have identified for themselves.

--> Working with colleagues helps teachers and principals in their professional development

--> Teachers and principals become more effective when encouraged to examine and assess their own work and then consider ways of working differently.

--> Teachers and principals help each other by working collaboratively.

* Purposes of Action research:

-->Building the reflective practitioner,

-->Making progress on schoolwide priorities,

-->Building professional cultures.

* Case Studies:

--> Piloting research with a local secondary school to explore through observation the activity of learners’ non-compliance.

--> Using a Participatory Action Research approach to develop therapeutic interventions for young people who experience social and emotional difficulties in a secondary school.

* Key features:

a.Selecting a focus

b.Clarifying theories

c.Identifying research questions

d.Collaboration

e.Collecting data

f.Analyzing data

g.A plan of action

h.Reporting results

i.Sharing research

j.Taking informed action