what is action research?
DESCRIPTION
A brief definition and explanation of Action ResearchTRANSCRIPT
What is Action Research?
Dr. Greg Waddell
Copyright © Greg Waddell 2014-
According to the experts . . .
it is . . .
“a cycle
“a cycle of posing questions,
“a cycle of posing questions,
gathering data,
“a cycle of posing questions,
gathering data,reflection,
Eileen Ferrance, "Action Research," Providence, RI: The Education Alliance, 2000, available from www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/themes_ed/act_research.pdf
“a cycle of posing questions,
gathering data,reflection,
& deciding on a course of action.”
Kurt Lewin, "Action Research & Minority Problems," Journal of Social Issues 2, no. 4 (1946): 34-46.
Kurt Lewin described it as a process of ...
Planning
Kurt Lewin, "Action Research & Minority Problems," Journal of Social Issues 2, no. 4 (1946): 34-46.
Kurt Lewin described it as a process of ...
Planning
Action,
Kurt Lewin, "Action Research & Minority Problems," Journal of Social Issues 2, no. 4 (1946): 34-46.
Kurt Lewin described it as a process of ...
Planning
Action,
and Searching
Learning Point Associates (http://www.learningpt.org/) define it as . . .
“Inquiry or research in the context of focused efforts to improve the quality of an organization and its performance.”
It is a cyclical process …
P
Problem
You start out with a problem.
DesignD
P
Problem
You design a potential solution.
DesignD A
P
Problem
Action
You take action on your solution.
DesignD
R
A
P
Problem
Reflection
Action
You reflect on the results.
C
DesignD
R
A
P
Problem
Reflection
Action
Capture
You capture the learning.
C
DesignD
R
A
P
P
D A
R
C
Problem
Reflection
Action
Capture
Then, you repeat the process.
C
DesignD
R
A
P
P
D A
R
C
ProblemP
Reflection
Action
Capture
D A
R
C
P
Again and again …
First,you need
a goodproblem
A Good Problem is ...
important
A Good Problem is ...
complex
A Good Problem is ...
multi-functional
difficult
A Good Problem is ...
A Good Problem Demands
action
A Good Problem Resists
structure
A Good Problem Leads To . . .
surprise
s
A Good Problem Leads To . . .
Action Research requires that we
REFRAMEthe problem
by looking at it in different
contexts
from different perspective
s
as a part of a larger
system
by making comparisons
by applying the problem to different groups
As You Implement the Plan . . .
Control the progress
As You Implement the Plan . . .
Control the progress
Collect the data (evidence)
As You Implement the Plan . . .
Control the progress
Collect the data (evidence)
Present periodic reports
Another essential element of Action Research is . . .
“A cycle of action and reflection is the heart of
action learning.”
Tom Bourner, Alan Cooper and Linda France, "Action Learning Across a University Community," Innovations in Education & Training International 37, no. 1 (2000): 2-9. available from Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed December 20, 2006).
Reflection is . . .A process of entering into “dialogue based on the data collected and [being] guided by a systemic framework to discover the root causes of the organization's problems.”
Michael Beer, Russell A. Eisenstat and Burt Spector, "Why Change Programs Don't Produce Change," Harvard Business Review, November-December, 1990, 158-66; available from EBSCOhost.
What did we intend to do?
These questions are used by the U.S. Army for their After-Action Reviews. Garvin, 2000, p. 107.
What actually happened?
Why did this happen?
What are we going to do the next time?
Lastly, we need to capture the learning
Information must be captured and then made institutional--
Information must be captured and then made institutional--
a process that involves recording and storing the learning in a way that is accessible to others.
Information must be captured and then made institutional--
In a nutshell . . .
Action Research seeks to accomplish two goals:
In a nutshell . . .
1.Stimulate Learning and
Action Research seeks to accomplish two goals:
In a nutshell . . .
1.Stimulate Learning and
2.Make a Difference.
Action Research seeks to accomplish two goals:
For more information contact Dr. Waddell at . . .
u
901.581.5735
www.macuniversity.edu
Credits
• Grate Dane and Chihuahua by unknown photographer (unknown to me) http://www.bloggyaward.com/pets/great-dane/
• Texture water: _MG_1662bi.jpg by somadjinn http://www.morguefile.com/archive/?display=170527&
• Beautiful Spider Web http://www.eglobe1.com/index.php/2006/11/12/spider-web-after-rain/
• Window photos are my own
• All other photos from Microsoft Clip art Office Online