Action Research for Educators Book

Foreword vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xv

1 The Nature of Educational Research 1

Principles of Research 1

Quantitative Versus Qualitative Research 3

Action Research Principles 10

2 Action Research 13

History of Action Research 13

Action Research Model 17

Developing an Action Research Proposal 23

Conducting a Literature Review 27

Sampling Techniques 28

Benchmarking 30

Ethical and Legal Considerations 32

3 Data Collection Methods 35

The Nature of Data Collection 35

Observing 38

Interviewing 44

Surveying 59

Assessing 80

4 Data Analysis and Interpretation 91

Threats to Validity 91

Using Descriptive Statistics 96

Significance Levels and Tests of Significance 105

Using Graphs and Diagrams 114

Writing Narrative Reports 117

5 Solving Problems and Taking Action 121

Barriers to Problem Solving 121

Steps in Problem Solving 123

Managing Change 125

Planning and Initiating Action 128

Data-driven Decision Making (DDDM) 131

6 Evaluating Action Research 135

Areas for Evaluation 135

Methods for Evaluating Results 137

Evaluating Action Research Studies 138

7 Conducting Action Research 143

Sample Research Study Analysis 143

Collaborative Process Intervention: An Action Research Study 144

Modifying Discussion and Assessment Techniques to Increase Student Understanding and Teacher Reflective Practices 155

Appendix A Ethical Standards of the American Educational Research Association 169

Appendix B Informed Consent 173

Appendix C American Educational Research Association Definition of Scientifically Based Research 177

Appendix D Code of Professional Responsibilities in Educational Measurement 179

Appendix E Sample Consent Form 181

Appendix F One Hundred Ideas for Conducting Action Research 183

Bibliography 189

Index 193

About the Author 197