Fundamental, Applied and Action Research

Fundamental, Applied and Action Research by Dr Akhilesh Kumar, Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Kota

1. Fundamental, Applied and Action Research Dr. Akhilesh Kumar

2. Research???

3. 3 Research generates knowledge in order to: action change within a system pave the way for change build broader understanding Basic or pure research Action research Critical / radical ethnography Applied / evaluative research participatory/ emancipatory technical/ practical emancipate through action expose and change the dominate system

4. Types of Research Criteria Types On the basis of Objectives Fundamental Research Applied Research Action Research On the Basis of Nature of Data Qualitative Research Quantitative research On the basis of Nature of Findings Explanatory Research Exploratory Research Descriptive Research On the basis Experimental manipulations Experimental Research Non-Experimental Research On the basis of approach involved Longitudinal Research Cross Sectional Research

5. Basic vs. Applied Research Basic / Fundamental Research – type of research that may have limited direct application but in which the researcher has careful control of the conditions Applied research – type of research that has direct value to practitioners but in which the researcher has limited control over the research setting

6. Fundamental / Basic Research Basic / Fundamental / Pure research Salient Features: Based on the belief ‘Knowledge for the knowledge’s sake’. Collection and analysis of data to develop or enhance theory Advancement of knowledge. Take place in a sterile environment Understanding of theoretical relationship between variables Exploratory in nature Without any pre-assumption of any utility. Examples: Piaget Theory of Cognitive Development Experiment of Pavlov (Classical Conditioning theory) Gardner’s multiple intelligences

7. Applied Research Salient Features: Solve specific, practical questions Can be exploratory, but usually descriptive Involves precise measurement of the characteristics and describes relationships between variables of a studied phenomenon Collection and analysis of data to examine the usefulness of theory in solving practical educational problems Examples Developing a seventh grade social studies curriculum around a problem-solving approach to learning Examining the effectiveness of a computer-based algebra program developed around a mastery learning approach Accommodating varied learning styles when teaching lessons in modern literature

8. Relationship between Basic & Applied Research The interaction of basic and applied research Basic research provides the theory that produces the concepts for solving educational problems Applied research provides the data to help support, guide, and revise the development theory Doing basic research ensures that applied researchers do not need to reinvent the wheel every time they start on a new project, because the groundwork has been done.

9. Comparisons: Basic Research Domain- driven - intended to lead theoretical dvpt Justified in terms of gaining knowledge for its sake – they focus on making things better and creating a more humane society The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge Applied Research Demand-driven – intended to lead to soln of specific problems Designed to solve practical problems of the modern world Can take the research basic research further based on the results, where applicable

10. Comparisons… Basic Research Done for the intellectual pleasure of learning Mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory Applied Research Done to test theories in the field to achieve better validity. Aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society

11. Comparisons… Basic Directed towards finding information that has broad base of applications No commercial value attached to the discoveries that result from basic research. Applied The central aim is to discover a solution for some pressing practical problem There is commercial value, e.g. research to improve agricultural crop production

12. Comparisons… Basic Analytic Involves a search for enduring or general truths Exploration Applied Synthetic Entails a search for pragmatics solutions to particular problems Entirely a pursuit of social concerns

13. Definition of Action Research John Best & Kahn: “Action research is focused on the immediate application and not on the development of theory. It has placed its emphasis on a real problem in a local setting. Its finding are to be evaluated in terms of local applicability, not in terms of universal validity”

14. What is action research? Action research is systematic inquiry done by teachers (or other individuals in an educational setting) to gather information about, and subsequently improve, the ways their particular educational setting operates, how they teach, and how well their students learn (Mills, 2000).

15. Action Research ‘ Action research is simply a form of self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in social situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own practices, their understanding of these practices, and the situations in which the practices are carried out’ (Carr and Kemmis 1986).

16. Reflective teaching is a process of developing lessons or assessing student learning with thoughtful consideration of educational theory, existing research, and practical experience, along with the analysis of the lesson’s effect on student learning (Parsons & Brown, 2002).

17. Action Research It is a process for studying practical problems of social studies. It is a scientific procedure for finding out a practical solution of current problem. The practitioner can only study his problem. It is a personal research for clinical research work. The focus is to improve and modify the current practices. The individual and group problems studied by action research. It does not contribute to the fund of knowledge.

18. Lewin’s Model of AR

19. Calhaun’s AR cycle

20. Bachman’s AR Cycle

21. Riel’s AR Model

22. Action Research History Kurt Lewin(1946) credit with development of concept of action research Evolved and influenced by Kemmis(1983), Ebbutt (1985), Elliott (1991), Hopkins (1985) and others…

23. Types of Action Research Action Research Participatory Practical Studying local practices involving individual or team-based inquiry Focusing on teacher development and student learning Implementing a plan of action Leading to the teacher-as-researcher Studying social issues that constrain individual lives Emphasizing equal collaboration Focusing on “life-enhancing changes” Resulting in the emancipated researcher

24. Action research: Data collection techniques Action Research Data Collection Techniques (The Three E’s) Experiencing Enquiring Examining (By observing) (By asking) (By using records) Participant Observation (Active participant) Passive Observer Informal Interview Structured formal Interview Questionnaires Attitude Scales Standardized Tests Archival documents Journals Maps Audio and Videotapes Artifacts Fieldnotes

25. Fundamental / Basic Research

26. References Best, J.W.(2013) Research Methods in Education, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi Cohen,L ., Manion , L., & Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education, Routledge , London, 1 st Ed. Gay, L.R., (1992) Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application, Merill -Macmillan, New York, 4 th Ed. McNiff , J. & Whitehead J., (2002) Actiona Research: Principle & Practices, Routledge-Falmer , London, 1 st Ed. Norton, S.L., (2009) Action Research in Teaching and Learning: A Practical Guide to Conducting Pedagogical Research in Universities, Routledge , London,1 st Ed. Paneerselvam , R. (2012). Research Methodology, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi, 10 th Ed.

27. Questions?????

28. Thank You!!