Action Research - What is it?

Action research in education is a type of research that focuses on the concerns of the staff (administrator and teachers) not outside researchers. An administrator can use action research to solve many of the problems that pop up in his/her school. When using action research, the administrator first formulates a question or "wondering". Using this wondering as a starting point, the administrator will then design the project, collect data from many sources (including disaggregated data from standardized tests, and classroom data such as observations, portfolios, work samples, student inteviews, etc) and then interpret the data around their wondering. (By using a variety of data sources, decisions can be made on accurate evidence and triangulation of data).

Action research has many benefits to the administrators. The administrator becomes a collaborator in educational research by investigating his/her own problems and he/she plays an active part in the research process. In this way, the administrator "owns" the process and is therefore more likely to act on the knowledge that he/she generates from the process.

Action research is a continual process. In answering one problem, new problems or areas for improvement are often revealed.

An integral part of the action research process is reflection. Administrators need to take time to reflect on their daily practice and he/she needs to question his/her own practice.

By engaging in action research and reflection, and administrator can ensure that best practices are flourishing at his/her school. As a visible action researcher, the administrator truly becomes a leader of learners.

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Ringler, M. C. (2007). Action Research an Effective Instructional Leadership Skill for Future Public School Leaders: AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice, (4)1, 27-37.