The purpose of this course was to help me understand what action research is and to prepare me to be an effective action researcher. Before taking this course, I have had some experience and prior knowledge of scientific research methods. I quickly found out that in many ways action research and scientific research are the same, but in a few ways they are different. This course has given me a much wider understanding of how to perform effective action research.
The focus of week 1 was to define what action research is and to explain its importance. Nancy Fitchman Dana defines administrator inquiry as “the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry (Dana, 2009, p.2).” I feel that this is a great definition to start with. The process of action research is systematic in that it is a continuous process that must be adapted to changes in the organization. Plainly, action research is a series of steps to follow in order to create change that is directed toward improvement within an organization. I liked how action research was equated to a doctor visit by a sick patient (Harris et al., 2009, p. 5-7). I also compared action research to the scientific method, of which I am most familiar with.
Week 2 discussed how to select a topic for action research. In the video lecture, Dr. Elvis Arterbury and Dr. Steve Jenkins mentioned the two components to consider when selecting an appropriate topic for action research. The two components include the purpose and the significance of the study. The purpose answers the question of what will you do, while the significance answers the question of why the study needs to be done (Jenkins and Harris, 2011). I feel that the significance is the most crucial factor between the two. The purpose is typically self-evident, but the significance determines whether the study is appropriate or not. The significance takes a detailed look at the current state of the organization and identifies areas of improvement. From this assessment we must decide exactly what we expect to address through the action research process. The significance gives the study value.
An in-depth look at the steps of action research was discussed during week 3. This week I wrote a draft of my action research plan. The assignment for the week began by writing down my research question and the rationale behind the need for the research. My research question is “what writing techniques that are taught in the ELA classroom can be used in the science classroom to improve the student’s effectiveness of understanding key concepts?” Using the Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template found in the textbook (Harris et al., 2009, p. 85), I was able to create an action research plan to address my research question. The plan gives a comprehensive and detailed look at what will happen during the research process. This is a very important step, because it allows the researcher to really look into what the study entails and it can expose possible weaknesses and issues.
During week 4 we reflected on the action research plan that we drafted during week 3. The discussion prompt for that week asked us to identify problems that we may run into while performing our action research and asked us how we may address these problems. This was a very helpful assignment, because our fellow students were able to read our issues on the discussion board and give advice on how to solve the issues. I received some good feedback from my blog as well. We posted our draft action research plan on our personal blog and waited for critique/ advice from our classmates. From the comments we were able to make changes to our plans that make the plan stronger. This step gave valuable and new ideas that may not have been realized any other way. Through the blog and the discussion board we were able to revise our plan to present to our site supervisor for final approval.
Overall, I found this course to be extremely helpful and informative. I learned a great deal about what action research is and how to use it successfully to improve my campus. Action research is also a great tool for improving me as a leader as well. I am excitedly looking forward to completing my action research plan and using the process in the future. I still have a lot to learn and experience before I am comfortable with the system, but I know that will come with time. I have already identified so many aspects of my current position as a department chair that can benefit from doing action research. I have already made plans for some of those so I can gai9n the practice that I need.
Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press
Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2009). Examining What we do to Improve our Schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education
Arterbury, E., & Jenkins, S. (2011). Research for Teachers [Video Lecture]. Lamar university
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