EDLD 5301- Action Research

Action research is a process in which administrators become inquirers. Administrators have evolved over the years. Before it was just a list of duties to fulfill from the top down. Action research has changed all of that. Administrators are now able to ask inquiring questions and do the research to help find answers or solutions to those questions. Action research is a process that helps make change and figure out if that change is beneficial for all parties involved. It is a never ending process that comes up with more questions to help back up or make your initial question clearer. There are four phases of action research. First, define the issue to study. Second, review professional literature that pertains to the issue of study. Third, take action by analyzing and reflecting. And lastly, use and share the results of the action plan.

Action research has stepped away from the traditional educational research in that it is more introspective than what research used to be. Administrators need to be more in the trenches and dig deeper with their teachers and staff to fix any problems that arise. Similarly, teachers can use the action research process with their students to help in student achievement. Action research requires teachers and administrators to be inquirers. Inquiry is the action of asking wondering questions, looking at literature and data, creating a plan, then implementing a plan along with tracking it and making adjustments along the way.

I have also learned that action research is not something you do once a week or once a month. This is an ongoing process that needs to be routinely done. It takes a lot of planning and reflecting to see the progress of action research.