"This is a most stimulating book which should be prescribed reading for any serious student of education and those involved in the management of policy and effective schooling." - Educational Research "Elliott...sticks to the enduring issues of teachers needing to research their own classrooms and schools, using a variety of approaches, so that they can base changes on a proper study of purpose and process, after considering the documents, the strategies, the real and apparent precepts on which decisions are being made. It is much more timeless and less transient. Good for him." - T.E.S. "Anybody interested in reading an antidote to presently received wisdom on the 'self evaluating' school, should read John Elliott's book." - Journal of Education for Teaching: International Research and Pedagogy "This book is essential reading for teachers." - Journal of Teacher Development "For the research teacher-student this book is invaluable." - Headlines: Journal of the Secondary Heads Association

• Part 1 Action research and professional learningteachers as researchers - an historical and biographical contextsupporting professional learning through action research - three case studiesPart 2 Action research - dilemmas and innovationthe theory/practice problemthe fundamental characteristics of action researchthe dilemmas and temptations of the reflective practitionera practical guide to action researchPart 3 Action research in policy contextsaction research and the emergence of teacher appraisal in the UKcompetency based training and the education of the professions - is a happy marriage possible ?the national curriculum and models of curriculum development