Full Description
Craig Mertler's Action ResearchEducators introduces practicing educators to the process of conducting classroom-based action research. Practical and comprehensive, the book focuses on research methods and procedures that educators can use in their everyday profession. This Fifth Edition adds enhanced coverage of rigor and ethics in action research, means of establishing quality of both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as strengthened pedagogical features. New material including discussions of social justice advocacy as an application of action research and the inclusion of abstracts in research reports has been added.
Contents
Part I. "What Is Action Research?"Chapter 1: Introduction to Action ResearchWhat Is Action Research?The Importance of Action ResearchApplications of Action ResearchRigor in Action ResearchAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 1Chapter 2: Overview of the Action Research ProcessChapter 2 OrganizerA Brief ExampleAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 2Part II: "How Do I Begin My Action Research Study?"Chapter 3: Planning for Action Research & Reviewing Related LiteratureChapter 3 OrganizerIdentifying a Topic for ResearchGathering Preliminary InformationReviewing the Related LiteratureWriting Up Action Research: Topics and Literature ReviewsAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 3Chapter 4: Developing a Research PlanChapter 4 OrganizerResearch QuestionsBasic Research DesignsEthical Considerations in Your ResearchGetting Organized for Your ResearchWriting Up Action Research: The Research PlanAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 4Part III: "What Do I Do With All These Data?"Chapter 5: Collecting DataChapter 5 OrganizerQualitative Data Collection TechniquesCharacteristics of Qualitative Data: Accuracy, Credibility, and DependabilityQuantitative Data Collection TechniquesCharacteristics of Quantitative Data: Validity and ReliabilityNotes about Ethics and Data CollectionWriting Up Action Research: Data Collection MethodsAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 5Chapter 6: Analyzing DataChapter 6 OrganizerQualitative Data Analysis TechniquesQuantitative Data Analysis TechniquesA Note About Mixed-Methods Data AnalysisReporting the Results of Data AnalysisWriting Up Action Research: Data AnalysisAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 6Part IV: "Ive Got Results!... Now What?"Chapter 7: Next Steps and Future Cycles: Developing an Action PlanChapter 7 OrganizerDeveloping Action PlansLevels of Action PlansAction Planning: A Time for ReflectionWriting Up Action Research: Action PlansAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 7Chapter 8: Writing an Action Research ReportChapter 8 OrganizerConventions of Academic WritingA Word About Ethics When Writing Research ReportsPractical Guidelines for WritingAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 8Chapter 9: Sharing and ReflectingChapter 9 OrganizerCommunicating the Results of Action ResearchWriting Up Action Research: Reflecting on ResearchAction Research Portrait 1Action Research Portrait 2Action Research Checklist 9Reflecting on the Action Research Process
