Action research

Action research - Concept, Definition, Steps, Preparation of action research

1. Suresh babu G Assistant Professor CTE CPAS Paippad , Kottayam Action Research

2. Action research Action research refers to a wide variety of evaluative, investigative, and analytical research methods designed to diagnose problems or weaknesses—whether organizational, academic, or instructional—and help educators develop practical solutions to address them quickly and efficiently.

3. Definition of Action research J.W.Best , “Action research is focused on the immediate application, not on the development of theory. It has placed its emphasis on a real problem here and now in a local setting”. Good, “Action research is a research used by teachers, supervisors and administrators to improve the quality of their decision and action”.

4. Significance of Action research It directs the change on the orderly disciplined base. In action research the consumer is the researcher. The solution of the problem can be achieved quickly. The problem are those which are of immediate concern to the researcher. The solution of the problem are put in practice and evaluated. The solution is searched by employing scientific techniques. The objection to change is minimized.

5. Objectives of Action Research To improve the conditions of various infra-structural facilities of an educational institution. To develop scientific attitude among teachers where by they are motivated to study problems scientifically. To develop democratic attitude among teachers and students while understanding and solving problem. To bring excellence in the working style of the institution.

6. To develop the ability and insight among administrators to improve and modify institutional conditions with a scientific outlook. To root out the conservative and static environment prevailing in most educational institutions. To make educational system effective. To raise the level of performance and the level of aspiration of the students.

7. Salient Features of Action Research It is concerned with school problems and is carried on by school personnel to improve school practice. Compared with other kinds of educational research. It is organized investigative activity, aimed towards the study leading to constructive change required for qualitative improvement. It is a research designed to find the solution for a felt problem. It is a type of applied research or decision oriented research. It is undertaken for immediate practical problems.

8. Need of Action Research In action research the researchers are teachers, curriculum workers, principals, supervisors and others whose main task is to help, provide good learning experiences for pupils. In it, a person tries to enable him to realize his purpose more effectively. It is procedure which tries to keep problem solving in close contact with reality at every stage. In educational system it conduits for the progress of the technique of teaching. Its strengthens and emphasizes the work of teacher.

9. It has a great utility of creating new interest and new confidence in the ability of the individual teacher. It provides practical utility. It brings changes in teachers behaviour , attitude and teaching performance. It helps teacher to face day-to-day problems in the classroom.

10. Characteristics of Action Research It is participant-driven and reflective; A practical focus It is collaborative It leads to change and the improvement of practice It is context-specific A dynamic process A plan of action Sharing research Characteristics of Action Research

11. Steps in Action Research

12. 1. Identify the P roblem   There are several criteria to consider before investing the time and effort in “researching” a problem. The question should - be a higher order question- not a yes / no - be stated in common language - be concise - be meaningful - not already have an answer

13. 2. Analyze the P roblem to be Define and Delimit it . Analyze the problem in its various aspects. The analysis will lead to the exact definition of the problem to be stated in limited words in terms of limited area of distribution.

14. 3. Diagnose the Factors Causing the P roblem Search for the causes of the difficulty or the reason for the existence if the problem. The causes should be verifiable, specific and authentic.

15. 4. Formulating the A ction Hypothesis Action hypothesis refers to a certain tentative assumption or assumptions that point to the possible solution of the problem or difficulty. It gives clarity and definiteness to the work of action research. It also gives an idea of the procedure to be adopted for reaching the goal.

16. 5. Design the Test of the Hypothesis The research design for an action hypothesis involves the following aspects :- Description of activities and procedures for getting evidence or for collecting data. An outline of sources tools or means to execute the design. Time required to finalize the action and complete procedures.

17. 6. Evaluate the Results. Evaluate the Results to Determine how far the goal of the action hypothesis has been realized: If it is revealed that the results are positive, the hypothesis is accepted , otherwise one may require to formulate a new hypothesis and repeat the steps. The various techniques involved in the evaluation of the action hypothesis are observation, using opinionnaires and questionnaires, interview, and check lists and rating scales.

18. Preparation of Action Research There are five structural elements for an action research report. Although these element will be described in a particular order, they need not be that way in our report. 1. The context : The context within which the action research took place. Depending on the project that we do, the locus of the context can be our classroom, our school, or our school district. It can be the parents or students.

19. 2. Statement and Origin of our Research F ocus : The statement of our research focus should answer one or more of the following questions. What did investigate? What have we accomplished or attempted to accomplish in this study? What have been our goals? This element of the report should also address the way in which our starting point developed. It also include research literature

20. 3. Methods :- This element of the report focuses on the way in which we investigated our practice situation. 4. The Findings :- Each report should contain some description of what it was that we learned. Make sure to include any events, circumstances or data that contradict what we had hoped to do or find out.

21. 5. Implications :- I t should be stated of how participation in this research has affected the ways in which we look at your teaching, our students, or our school.

22. Advantages of Action Research Classroom practices can best be changed by teachers. It promote teachers growth as a empowered professional. Teachers engaging in research as a viable activity for solving problems of teaching and learning generated in own classroom. Teachers became more aware of their own practices, of gaps between beliefs and practice, and of what their pupils are thinking, feeling and learning. It create new social settings.

23. Limitation of Action Research It has limited contribution to make to the development of education as a science. Maximum benefits seldom realized because of failure of generalization. Relatively poor quality as it is done by less research oriented teachers. Result cannot be generalized. It is an addition to teachers work-load.