Action Research Reflection and How to Use It

What I have learned about action research is that it is a reflective process that allows you to collaborate in groups and solve problems.  The need for bringing in outside sources to resolve problems is a thing of the past.  Administrators and teachers form groups to create learning and sharing thus improving ways to diagnose and resolve problems. This type of research is designed to take action on improving work practices by the knowledge is generated through action and may be individual, collaborative or school wide. These methods of action research allow educators to investigate any concerns within their classes or school. 

There are five guiding steps to applying action research. They are reflection (ask questions, identify problems or define an area to explore), select a focus area (decide what data needs to be collected, how much and how often it needs to be collected), collect data, analyze (determine how the findings can be applied), take action (create an action plan based on your findings).

Action research gives teachers and principals ownership in their classes and schools.  It gives them the opportunity to capture important differences, reflect and take action. These are a guide to follow.  When reflecting, continually seeks ways to improve your class, school or district. When choosing your focus, it helps to know what you investigate, develop questions to ask, establish your action plan to answer those questions. Once you have your specific focus, know what questions you want to ask and how to answer them, then you gather information to answer the question and collect data. After the data is collected and quantified, next you will begin to analyze the data. Once this is done you are at a point where you make a decision and take action. This point is ongoing and you will continually work towards improving your school. Action research gives you the tools you need to accomplish your goals.