What is Action Research?
Definitions of Action Research
“Let’s study what’s happening at our school (in my classroom), decide if I can make it a better place by changing what and how I teach and how I relate to students and the community, study the effects and begin again.” (A.M. Huberman, 1992)
“Teachers identify and solve their own instructional concerns, within their own classrooms with the process of actions research.” (Mary Little, 2001)
“Action Research consists of planned, continuous, and systematic procedures for reflecting on professional practice and for trying out alternative practices to improve outcomes.” (Richard A. Schmuck, 1997) |
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According to the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory:
"Action research is inquiry or research in the context of focused efforts to improve the quality of an organization and its performance. It typically is designed and conducted by practitioners who analyze the data to improve their own practice. Action research can be done by individuals or by teams of colleagues. The team approach is called collaborative inquiry." |
Follow this link to open or download and print our brochure introducing you to the process of Action Research.
There is also a PowerPoint available that can provide you with more information about the process.
Action research is a model of professional development where educators study student learning related to their own teaching, a process that allows them to learn about their own instructional practices and to continue to improve student learning. Richard A. Schmuck (1997) compares action research to looking into a mirror at oneself and taking action. Conducting action research provides educators with an avenue to reflect on one’s own teaching practices and engage in self-directed learning with the ultimate goal of improving student learning. In order for students to reach optimal learning, teachers must continuously build upon their own knowledge of student learning and intentionally study their practices that are being implemented in the classroom. http://projectcentral.ucf.edu/Action%20Research/overview/index.html In the AR spiral, (refer to Figure 1) group members: Figure 1 - The Action Research Spiral (after Zuber-Skerrit, 1995, p.13)
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