Chapter 12

Question 1

Action Research

Answer 1

A systematic investigation conducted by practitioners to provide information to immediately improve teaching and learning

Question 2

Stages of action research

Answer 2

Planning
Acting
Observing
Reflecting

Question 3

Benefits of Action Research

Answer 3

Collaboration with colleagues

Reflection on practice

Empowerment of individuals

Acquaints individuals with relevant research

Acquaints individuals with evidence-based systematic inquiry

Encourages organization-wide evaluation of current procedures with an eye toward improvement

Creates better decision-making

Gives practitioners the tools to think more systematically about the effectiveness of practice

Question 4

Steps of Conducting Action Research

Answer 4

Select a focus, topic, or issue to study
Determine design and collect data
Summarize and interpret data
Take action based on findings
Iterate back to first step

Question 5

Selecting a Focus, Topic, or Issue to Study

Answer 5

Involve some part of teaching/learning (or whatever you’re engaged in)

Be something that is part of your own teaching, classroom, school (or your professional practice)

Be something that you can control or have influence on

Be something that you can change or improve

Be something that you feel passionate about, some that you are motivated to learn more about

Question 6

Reconnaissance

Answer 6

Taking time to self-reflect on the area you are interested in from the perspective of your own beliefs and from the context of the classroom or school (local context)

Question 7

Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering a Topic

Answer 7

Who is involved with the problem/area to be improved?
What is the evidence of a problem?
Where is the problem occurring?
When is the problem occurring?

Question 8

Literature Review

Answer 8

Keep it relatively brief

Focus on secondary sources

Question 9

Determine Design and Data Collection

Answer 9

Qualitative
Quantitative
Mixed-Methods

Question 10

Triangulation

Answer 10

Using multiple data sources to converge on the true state of affairs

Question 11

Qualitative Data

Answer 11

Experiencing: Direct observation of participants
Enquiring: Interviewing students, teachers, parents, etc
Examining: Document and record analysis

Question 12

Quantitative Data

Answer 12

Cognitive: Tests of knowledge and understanding
Non-Cognitive: Ratings of attitudes and beliefs
You need to substantiate the reliability and validity of your measures to the best of your ability

Question 13

Experiencing

Answer 13

Direct observation of participants

Question 14

Enquiring

Answer 14

Interviewing students, teachers, parents, etc

Question 15

Examining

Answer 15

Document and record analysis

Question 16

Quantitative Data focuses on ____________.

Answer 16

Focus on Practical Significance

Question 17

Qualitative Data focuses on ____________.

Answer 17

Looking for Communalities Across Interviews and Observations

Question 18

Five Criteria of Action Research Validity

Answer 18

Democratic Validity
Outcome Validity
Process Validity
Catalytic Validity
Dialogic Validity

Question 19

Democratic Validity

Answer 19

Representation of stakeholders in the action research process

Question 20

Outcome Validity

Answer 20

Is the action plan that results from action research viable and effect?

Question 21

Process Validity

Answer 21

Internal validity and credibility

Question 22

Catalytic Validity

Answer 22

Does the research compel the participants to “take action”?

Question 23

Dialogic Validity

Answer 23

Are the results disseminated in a manner that allows a conversation or dialogue with colleagues through some public forum

Question 24

Criteria for Evaluating Action Research

Answer 24

Determine the motivation and involvement of the researcher

Look for consistency between the research question and your methodology

Look for whether multiple methods of data collection have been utilized

Confirm that there has been an emergent, cyclical process of research – action – reflection

Is there any external monitoring or feedback?