Action research "focuses on the concerns of practitioners (not outside researchers) and engages practitioners in the design, data collection, and interpretation of data around their question" (Dana, 2009, pg 5).
In a school setting, this means that research is done within the school walls by the principal, facutly and staff. Individual schools determine what areas or situations need to be addressed and improved, create strategies to improve the situations, implement their strategies, evaluate the outcome and then determine if new strategies need to be created for greater improvement. This is an ongoing cylce, meaning that each school district addresses their own individual problems and makes assessments accordingly.
Action research does not allow for an outside group to conduct research and then relay the findings to the school district and set standards to go by for addressing the issue. Outsiders do not know exactly what the situation is at any paticular campus. Their research is based on general knowledge. Action research is specific to each group or campus and those involved are able to create strategies they determine will work best for their school community.
I believe that action research will benefit schools because of the diverse populations in each district.
Every district, campus, and year creates new challanges. Addressing these challenges through action research allows each school to target specific needs and areas only they can determine.
Shelley,
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your blog and really look forward with interest to your action research in work.... I think you are spot on when you refer to the action research as an ongoing cycle. Districts, schools, administrators and teachers must constantly be looking for ways to improve our profession from the inside and stop relying so much on the outside experts. Great beginning