Socialpsychologist Kurt Lewin 1890 1947 coined the term

Social-psychologist Kurt Lewin (1890 – 1947) coined the term action research Why is Action Research sometimes viewed as not a legitimate form of research? ACTION RESEARCH PART 1 In the field of education, the scope of action research provides a means for teachers or educators in the school to improve their practices of taking action and to do so by participating in research. (Cresswell, 2012)

At the end of this session, you should be able to explain the following elements of Action Research: • Context • Research focus • Research objective • Research question Part 2 • Data analysis and interpretation of data • Reflection and implication • Further action • Action plan • Sources of reference • Implementation of action plan • Action Research proposal writing • Data collection method • Action Research report

Defining Action Research CONTEXT • Action research is any systematic inquiry conducted by teacher researchers, principals, school counselors, or other stakeholders in the teaching/learning environment to gather information about how their particular schools operate, how they teach, and how well their students learn. • This information is gathered with the goals of gaining insight, developing reflective practice, effecting positive changes in the school environment (and educational practice in general), and improving student outcomes and the lives of those involved. (Mills, 2014)

How is Action Research done? • It is done by teachers for themselves; it is not imposed on them by someone else. • Action research engages teachers in a four-step process 1. Identify an area of focus 2. Collect data 3. Analyze and interpret data 4. Develop an action plan (Mills, 2014) (Mc. Niff & Whitehead, 2011)

Types Of Action Research PRACTICAL • Focus of research is on individual teachers solving immediate classroom problems or schools addressing internal issues • Focus of research is on contributions to emancipation or PARTICIPATORY change in our society, such as studies of issues that relate to a need to address social problems that constrain and repress the lives of students and educators (Cresswell, 2012)

Rationale For Action Research (Mills, 2014) • The reality of classroom life is that teachers are constantly confronted with practical and critical challenges, and it is up to the individual action researcher to seek out approaches that provide both practical solutions and empowerment to address the critical and cultural issues of classrooms today. • Action research aims not only to enhance the lives of children but also to enhance the lives of professionals by encouraging teachers to be continuous learners – in their classrooms and in their practice. The goal of teachers and principals to be professional problem solvers committed to improving both their practice and student outcomes provides a powerful reason to practise action research.

The Process Of Action Research (Mills, 2014; Cresswell, 2012) • Many guidelines and models have been provided over the years – Lewin, Kemmis, Stringer, Sagor, etc • Cresswell’s (2014) description of the process of action research : A dynamic, flexible process that involves the following steps: determining if action research is the best design to use, identifying a problem to study, locating resources to help address the problem, identifying necessary information, implementing the data collection, analysing the data, developing a plan for action, and implementing the plan and reflecting whether or not it makes a difference.

The Process Of Action Research All the action research models share some common elements: 1. A sense of purpose based on a “problem” or “area of focus” (identification of an area of focus), 2. Observations or monitoring of practice (collection of data), 3. Synthesis of information gathered (analysis and interpretation of data), 4. Some form of action that invariably “spirals” the researcher back into the process repeatedly (development of an action plan). (Mills, 2014)

Some diagrammatic views of the dynamic, flexible process of Action Research (Mills, 2014) (Mc. Niff, 2002)

Action Research And The Review Of Related Literature • Action researchers differ in their views about when review of literature should be carried out in the research process. • The importance of literature review in AR is that the synthesis of the related literature allows you to see your project more clearly and help you identify and refine elements of the research eg. the research questions (Mills, 2011: 49) How should the review of literature be presented in the Action Research proposal as stipulated in the IPGM guideline? Those interested to know how Action Research is compared with the positivist scientific approach to research, can go to http: //www. aral. com. au/resources/philos. html

Developing The Research Focus • In the beginning of the AR process, you need to clarify the general idea that will be the area of focus or research focus. The general idea is a statement that links an idea to an action and refers to a situation one wishes to change. • Example: • Statement/Observation: Students do not seem to be engaged during my English lessons. • Question: How can I improve their engagement? • Important criteria to include when identifying the research focus: ü It involves your own teaching and learning practice, ü It is within your locus of control ü It is something you feel passionate about ü It is something you would like to change or improve

Developing The Research Objective and Research Questions • The research objective and questions are developed from the research focus. • The research questions help provide a focus for the data collection plan. • Exercise: Which of the following are good Action Research questions? • How do I need to change my teaching to facilitate more meaningful discussions in my biology classroom? • Will having more meaningful discussions help students make connections between biology content and the world around them? • How do higher-level analysis and application questions enable students to be better citizens? • What is the impact of the KSSR programme on primary English learning?

Action Plan The action plan involves three areas: • Action Measures • Planning for Method of Collecting Data • Planning on How To Analyze Data (Refer to IPGM guideline pg. 8 - 10)

Implementation Of Action Plan (appears as a sub-topic in the Action Research Report) This part reports on the following: • The action measures taken • The data collected and how it was collected • The analysis of the data and how it was analysed (Refer IPGM guideline)

DATA COLLECTION METHOD • The type of data collected can be quantitative, qualitative or both. • The choice of data sources depends on these factors: ü The research questions ü Time and resources ü Availability of individuals, ü Sources of information • The more sources used, the better the triangulation and understanding of the problem

Source: Cresswell, 2012: adapted from Mill, 2011)

TUTORIAL (GROUPWORK) • Choose one of your group members’ proposed research study and suggest a research design for it. Ø If it is not an Action Research design, explain why you cannot carry out the research using an Action Research design. Ø If it is an Action Research design, explain what your action plan is, how you will implement it, and the data collection method.