1. Action Research Designs
Chapter 18
Action Research Designs
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

2. A Brief History of Action Research for Teachers and Schools
Teacher and school inquiries
(e.g. teacher initiated
research studies)
2000’s
1990’s
School-based
site councils
(e.g. School
committees
Professional inquiry by
teachers (e.g. self-study)
1980’s
1970’s
In-service days (e.g. teacher
staff development activities
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

3. Types of Action Research Designs
Practical
Participatory
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
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

4. Mill’s (2000) Action Research Spiral
Identify an
Area of Focus
Develop an
Action Plan
Collect Data
Analyze and
Interpret Data
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

5. Stringer’s (1999) Action Research Interacting Spiral
Think
Look
Act
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

6. Characteristics of Action Research
Focus on practical issues
The study of educator-researcher’s own practices
Collaboration between researcher and participants
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

7. Characteristics of Action Research
Dynamic process of spiraling back and forth among reflection, data collection, and action
Development of a plan of action to respond to a practical issue
Sharing of research report with local school, community, and educational personnel
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

8. Collaborative Teams in Action Research
Students
Community
Stakeholders
Teachers
Collaborative
Team
Parents
Staff
Administrators
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

9. Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study
Determine if action research is the best design to use.
Identify the problem to study
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

10. Points of Entry into an Action Research Project
Identifying
“Problem”
Collecting
Data
Evaluating
Existing
Data
Taking
Action
Point of
Entry
Point of
Entry
Point of
Entry
Point of
Entry
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

11. Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study
Locate resources to help address the problem
Identify the information you will need
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

12. A Taxonomy of Action Research Data Collection Techniques
(The Three E’s)
Experiencing
Enquiring
Examining
(Through observation
and field notes)
When the researcher
asks
Using and making
records
Informal Interview
Archival documents
Participant observation
(Active participant)
Structured formal
Interview
Journals
Maps
Privileged, active
observer
Questionnaires
Audio and
Videotapes
Attitude Scales
Standardized Tests
Artifacts
Passive observer
Fieldnotes
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

13. Steps in Conducting an Action Research Study
Implement the data collection
Analyze the data
Develop a plan for action
Implement the plan and reflect
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

14. Criteria for Evaluating Action Research
Does the project clearly address a problem or issue in practice that needs to be solved?
Did the action researcher collect sufficient data to address the problem?
Did the action researcher collaborate with others during the study? Was there respect for all collaborators?
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

15. Criteria for Evaluating Action Research
Did the plan of action advanced by the researcher build logically from the data?
Is there evidence that the plan of action contributed to the researcher’s reflection as a professional?
Has the research enhanced the lives of the participants by empowering them, changing them, or providing them with new understanding?
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

16. Criteria for Evaluating Action Research
Did the action research actually lead to change or did a solution to a problem make the difference?
Was the action research reported to audiences who might use the information?
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

17. Applying What you Have Learned: Action Research Study
Review the article and look for the following:
The research problem and use of quantitative research
Use of the literature
The purpose statement and research hypothesis
Types and procedures of data collection
Types and procedures of data analysis and interpretation
The overall report structure
Educational Research by John W. Creswell. Copyright ©2002 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.