Action Research Design

Action Research.

1. Research Methodology Action Research Designs Madan Rijal M.Ed. in Mathematics Kathmandu University School of Education Instructor : Mr. Binod Pd. Pant 5/7/2017 1

2. OUTLINES Definition, use and its development Types of Action Research Designs Key Characteristics Potential ethical issues Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study Criteria for evaluating action research report 5/7/2017 2

3. DEFINITION Most applied and practical design Addresses a specific, practical issue and seeks to obtain solutions Systematic procedures done by teacher-researcher to gather information, subsequently improve teaching and students learning researchers address a local, practical problem researchers seek to empower, transform and emancipate individual 5/7/2017 3

4. USES Solve specific educational problem Encourage educators to reflect on their practices Provide means to improve the practices Empower individuals through collaboration on projects Fosters a democratic approach in education Position teachers and educators as learners who seek to narrow the gap between practice and their vision of education Promote a process of testing new ideas. 5/7/2017 4

5. Development of Action Research Kurt Lewin (Social-psychologist) Construction of intercultural groups Groups processes consisted of 4 steps: 1. Planning 3. Observing 2. Acting 4. Reflecting Later spread from social to education sector Slowed during 1950s but again reemerged in 1970s in Great Britain, USA and Australia 5/7/2017 5

6. Types of Action Research Design Practical Action Research Educators seek to enhance educational practices through study of local problem A small – scale research project Narrowly focuses on a specific problem or issue Undertaken by individual teachers or teams within a school or school district 5/7/2017 6

7. Major ideas or Principles Teacher-researchers Decision making authority Committed to continue professional development and school improvement Reflect their practices individually or in team Use identifiable procedures to study problems Choose an area of focus, determine data collection techniques, analyze and interpret data and develop action plans 5/7/2017 7

8. Mills Dialectic Action Research Spiral 5/7/2017 8

9. 2. Participatory Action Research (PAR) Also named as participatory research , critical action research and classroom action research Has a social and community orientation Emphasis on research that contributes to emancipate or change in our society Emerged as an action-oriented Purpose is to improve the quality of people’s organizations, communities and family lives. Differs by incorporating an emancipatory aim of improving and empowering individuals and organizations in education and others settings. 5/7/2017 9

10. Major ideas or Principles Teacher-researchers Study issues and address which are creating constrains to teachers and students Engage in a process that promotes egalitarian and democratic aims Seek to bring about a new vision for schools, communities agencies, youth clubs and ethic groups within schools 5/7/2017 10

11. Six Central Features of PAR - Kemmis and McTaggert PAR is a social process Inquiry is participatory Practical and collaborative Emancipatory process Critical Reflexive and change orientated 5/7/2017 11

12. Interacting Spiral - Stringer (2007) 5/7/2017 12 This model contains three phases : Look, think and act.

13. Steps in Stringer’s Action Research Model 1. Look : Building the picture Process Record and Gather information Extend understanding Organizing meetings Communicating 2. Think : Interpreting and Analyzing Process Frameworks Categorizing and coding Enriching analysis using frameworks Writing reports collaboratively Presentations and performance 3. Act : Resolving Problems Process Planning Implementing Reviewing Evaluating 5/7/2017 13

14. Key Characteristics of Action Research A practical focus The educator-researcher’s own practices Collaboration A dynamic process (reflection, data collection and action) A plan of action Sharing research (Unlike traditional research) 5/7/2017 14

15. Potential Ethical Issues in Action Research Collaborating with participants, a central feature of action research, may lead to ethical issues. Intimate and open-ended nature (Due to which data collection cannot be coercive) Dual role of teacher-researche r 5/7/2017 15

16. Steps in Conducting Action Research Determine if it is the best design to use Identify a problem to study Locate Resources to help address the problem Identify information you will need Implement the data collection Analyze the data Develop a plan for action Implement the plan and reflect 5/7/2017 16

17. Criteria for evaluating action research report These criteria are applicable to both practical action research and PAR. In high-quality action research study, the author: focuses on an issue in practice or issue in local community collect multiple sources of data to help address the problem Collaboration with other to find the best solutions Shows respect for all collaborators 5/7/2017 17

18. Contd… Advances a plan of action for trying to solve the problem Reflects researchers own professional development Help to solve problem, enhance, empower and providing new understanding to the participants Reports the research in a way that is understandable and useful to audiences, including other professionals 5/7/2017 18

19. Thank You 5/7/2017 19