A Short Guide to Action Research Book

	Preface	xi
	About the Author	xiii
Section I	Rationale	1
Chapter 1	Science, Research, and Teaching	3
	Science	3
	Research	5
	Teaching	9
	Summary	10
Chapter 2	Research Paradigms and the Nature of Reality	13
	Metaphysical Perspectives	13
	Implications	16
	Summary	18
Chapter 3	Introduction to Action Research	21
	Research in Action	21
	The Importance of Action Research	25
	Summary	27
Chapter 4	Using Action Research for Solving Problems	29
	Finding the Problem	29
	Finding Solutions	29
	Testing the Solution	31
	An Example of Action Research and Problem Solving	31
	Summary	34
Chapter 5	Strategies for Professional Growth: Preservice and Inservice Teachers	37
	Preservice Teachers: A Tool for Seeing	37
	Professional Development Schools	42
	Action Research and the Professional Development of Teachers	44
	Summary	45
Section II	The Process	47
Chapter 6	The Beginning	49
	An Overview of the Action Research Process	49
	Finding Your Research Topic	51
	Summary	53
Chapter 7	A Theoretical Context	55
	Reviewing the Literature	55
	Sources for the Literature Review	55
	Sample Literature Reviews	57
	Summary	60
Chapter 8	Methods of Collecting Data	61
	Data Collection	61
	Types of Data Collection in Action Research	62
	Summary	80
Chapter 9	Methods of Analyzing Data	81
	Accuracy and Credibility: This is What is	81
	Validity, Reliability, and Triangulation	82
	Inductive Analysis	83
	Summary	91
Chapter 10	Quantitative Design in Action Research	93
	Correlational Research	93
	Causal-Comparative Research	95
	Quasi-Experimental Research	96
	The Function of Statistics	99
	Summary	101
Chapter 11	Discussion: Your Plan of Action	103
	Conclusions and Recommendations	103
	Evaluation of the Study	107
	Designing a New Plan or Program	108
	Summary	110
Section III	Samples	113
Chapter 12	Sample Action Research Projects	115
	A Final Word	139
Section IV	Writing and Reporting Action Research	141
Chapter 13	Presenting Your Action Research	143
	The Educational Environment	143
	The Professional Environment	145
	Local Community Organizations	147
	Summary	147
Chapter 14	Writing an Action Research Report	149
	Tone and Style	149
	Length	151
	Clarity	151
	Headings	152
	Summary	154
Chapter 15	Action Research as Master's Thesis	155
	Before You Start	155
	The Action Research Thesis	156
	The Last Word	160
Chapter 16	The Literature Review	161
	A Theoretical Context	161
	A Sample Literature Review	165
	The Reference Page	167
	Summary	168
Chapter 17	Findings: Reporting Qualitative Data	169
	Presenting Qualitative Data	169
	The Importance of Structure	171
	Case Studies or Representative Samples	174
	Appendices	177
	Summary	177
Chapter 18	Findings: Reporting Quantitative Data Using Tables, Figures, and Graphs	179
	Quantifying Reality	179
	Tables	182
	Figures	184
	Summary	184
	Epilogue	187
Appendix A	Belief and Facts	189
Appendix B	Facts and Belief	190
Appendix C	Effective and Less Effective	191
Appendix D	Plan to Investigate	192
Appendix E	Creative Problem Solving	193
Appendix F	Means-End Analysis	194
Appendix G	Checklist for Small-Group Conferences	195
Appendix H	Product and Performance Assessment Form	196
Appendix I	Writing Assessment Form	197
Appendix J	Checklist for Independent Research Projects	198
	References	199