Slide 1What is it?How does it work?But what is action research?Assumptions behind action researchAnother definitionWhy action?A Related ConceptWhy collaborative?Slide 10Slide 11Guidelines typically used in teacher action researchSagor’s Five Step ProcessStep oneImportance of the problem statementProblem formulationHow do I choose a research question to study?Step TwoStep ThreeStep FourThe Structure of an Action Research ReportStep FiveSlide 23Collaborative Action ResearchLIB 604 Libraries in the School CurriculumSpring 2010What is it?What is Collaborative Action Research?–a process in which participants systematically examine their own educational practice using the techniques of research, for the purpose of increasing learning of students, their teachers, and other interested parties.•Caro-Bruce. (2000). Action Researcher: Facilitator’s Handbook. National Council of Staff Development.2How does it work?Teamwork–According to Sagor (1992), collaborative action research involves “people who want to do something to improve their own situation” (p. 7) taking action. The focus of the research process is “teams of practitioners who have common interests” (p. 10) working together to investigate issues relevant to their interests. •Collaborative action research and school counselors.From: Professional School Counseling | Date: 10/1/2005 | Author: Rowell, Lonnie L.3But what is action research?What is Action Research?–Action Research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully using the techniques of research. •Heidi Watts, Antioch Graduate School 4Assumptions behind action research–teachers and principals work best on problems they have identified for themselves; –teachers and principals become more effective when encouraged to examine and assess their own work and then consider ways of working differently; –teachers and principals help each other by working collaboratively; –working with colleagues helps teachers and principals in their professional development. •What is Action Research? Heidi Watts, Antioch Graduate School5Another definitionAction research–is the process through which teachers collaborate in evaluating their practice jointly; raise awareness of their personal theory; articulate a shared conception of values; try out new strategies to render the values expressed in their practice more consistent with the educational values they espouse; record their work in a form which is readily available to and understandable by other teachers; and thus develop a shared theory of teaching by researching practice. •John Elliott6Why action?The Meaning of “Action”–Traditionally, scientific research has been conducted by professional full-time researchers. They generally choose their topics based on their personal predilections or the preference of journal editors, and they publish reports of their work with the hope that someone will someday make use of it. But even if no one does, their work is usually complete upon publication of their report.–Action research, on the other hand, is conducted by people who want to do something to improve their own situation. When other people read about their work, notice it, or make use of it, that is simply icing on the cake. Action researchers undertake a study because they want to know whether they can do something in a better way.•Sagor, How to Conduct Collaborative Action Research, Chapter 2. Defining Collaborative Action Research7A Related Conceptcollaborative inquiry–Inquiry is the investigation of users and their context in order to understand their problem space, their goals, and associated design constraints, usually by observational methods, surveys, and interviews. Collaborative inquiry involves the users (or potential users) of an application in the investigation, relying on them as collaborators for their domain knowledge and appreciation of user needs.8Why collaborative?There are least two reasons for advocating CAR:–Firstly, . . . many teachers lack the necessary expertise to engage in action research.–Our second reason for advocating CAR is that collaboration provides an avenue for discussion. •Abdullah, K. I . and Hashim, A . Collaborative action research Australian Association for Research in Education 1996 – Singapore Joint ERA/AARE Conference 9Why Collaborative Inquiry?Why do we suggest a collaborative approach?–The main reason is based on the old adage, “Two heads better than one.” Multiple perspectives from different people help make sense of the complex nature of teaching and learning. Additionally, research informs us it is a good characteristic of successful professional development. 10Five Phases of Action ResearchPhase I - Problem IdentificationPhase II - Plan of ActionPhase III - Data CollectionPhase IV - Analysis of DataPhase V - Plan for Future Action–Adapted from the St. Louis Action Research Evaluation Committee 11Guidelines typically used in teacher action research–Identify a puzzlement/inquiry–Decide in a systematic way how to go about answering that question–Develop a timeline to carry out the project – one week, a month, a grading period or even a full academic year.–Decide how data will be collected and analyzed–Implement study – data collection and analysis–Report and share findings•Classroom Action Research Abstract of Classroom Action Research in Language Teaching, Yudi Juniardi and John Pahamzah12Sagor’s Five Step Process1. Problem formulation2. Data collection3. Data analysis4. Reporting of results5. Action planning•How to Conduct Collaborative Action Research13Step oneProblem Formulation–This step, which is described in detail in Chapter 3, helps action researchers identify the issues that are of the greatest professional concern. Researchers identify what they already know about each issue, what they still need to know about it, and their understanding of the variables affecting the issue.•Sagor–Corresponds to Phases I and II of Five Phases of Action Research, because it involves both identifying the problem and creating a plan of what to do about it.14Importance of the problem statement“Is a puzzlement” (Rodgers and Hammerstein: The King and I)–The problem statement defines the puzzlement which guides the inquiry of the project. Problem statements often take the form of a central question that yields subquestions. •Seider, S. (2002, Fall).