Full Description
This accessible, pragmatic text shows educators step by step how to conduct classroom- and school-based studies to improve instructional practices. The book presents methods and strategies for implementing each stage of the action research cycle, providing balanced coverage of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Readers learn how to: select and define a research topic; develop a literature review; choose a design; formulate data collection strategies; design and/or evaluate assessment tools; and interpret, analyze, and report study results. Helpful examples and vignettes depict a variety of real-world teaching and learning situations, school subjects, and age groups (PreK-12).User-Friendly Features*Exercises and activities in every chapter.*Checklists, guidelines, and templates that enable busy educators to self-assess the progress and quality of their studies.*Example boxes illustrating the components of an action research report.*Summary tables highlighting key aspects of different research strategies.*Chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading.
Contents
1. Introduction to Action ResearchWhat Is Educational Research?Practitioners as ResearchersHistorical PerspectivesThe Unique Characteristics of Action ResearchChapter SummaryChapter Exercises and ActivitiesAdditional Readings2. Choosing and Learning about Your Research TopicChoosing Your Research TopicFraming the Research Problem StatementDeveloping the Literature ReviewFormulating Specific Research Question(s) Chapter SummaryChapter Exercises and ActivitiesAdditional Readings3. Approaches to Action ResearchEducational Research ApproachesQualitative Educational ResearchQuantitative Educational ResearchMixed-Methods ResearchChoosing an Approach for Your Research ProjectChapter SummaryChapter Exercises and ActivitiesAdditional Readings4. Developing a Plan of ActionConsidering Your Role as a ResearcherEstablishing the Research ScopeIdentifying the Research Site and ParticipantsChoosing Data Collection ProceduresEnsuring the Study's Validity and TrustworthinessDeveloping Ethical GuidelinesCreating a "To-Do" ListFinalizing the Research PlanChapter SummaryChapter Exercises and ActivitiesAdditional Readings5. Data Collection ToolsObservationInterviewSurveysArtifacts and DocumentsFinal Comments about Data Collection ToolsChapter SummaryChapter Exercises and ActivitiesAdditional Readings6. Using Assessment Data in Action ResearchUnderstanding Standardized Commercial Achievement TestsTeacher-Made TestsWriting Instructional ObjectivesConstructing Teacher-Made Traditional Assessment ToolsUsing Teacher-Made Authentic Assessment ToolsFinal Comments about Classroom AssessmentChapter SummaryChapter Exercises and ActivitiesAdditional Readings7. Data Analysis and InterpretationQualitative Data AnalysisQuantitative Data AnalysisMixed-Methods Data AnalysisReporting the Study's Results, Conclusions, and ImplicationsChapter SummaryChapter Exercises and ActivitiesAdditional Readings8. Writing, Sharing, and Implementing the Research FindingsWriting a Formal Action Research ReportDeveloping Alternative Formats for Reporting on Action ResearchSharing the Research FindingsImplementing the Research FindingsCompleting the Action Research ProjectBecoming a Part of the Research CommunityChapter SummaryChapter Exercises and ActivitiesAdditional ReadingsReferencesAuthor IndexSubject IndexAbout the Authors
