Action Research Essentials

Dorothy Valcarcel Craig is a professor of education, certified online instructor, and program coordinator in the Department of Educational Leadership at the College of Education and Behavioral Science, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She previously held the position of associate dean for Teacher Education.

• Figures, Tables, & Exhibits xiPreface xvThe Author xxiCHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO ACTION RESEARCH 1Introduction 2What Is Action Research? 2Action Research: Some Definitions 4Why Engage in Action Research? 6Steps in the Process 10Phases of an Action Research Study 14What Are Data? 18When Is Action Research the Appropriate Choice? 21How Can the Process Effect Change? 24The Ethical Researcher 25Summary 26Key Terms 27Discussion Questions 27Suggested Topics 27Online Activities 28CHAPTER TWO: THE PROCESS BEGINS 29The Action Research Environment 30Identifying Problems Suitable for Action Research 31Sources for Problems or Research Topics 33Considering the Value of a Problem or Topic 35Narrowing the Focus 37The Reflective Journal Revisited 39Concept Mapping and Focus 40Reflecting on Relevancy 41Inquiring, Questioning, Interviewing, and Gathering Information 43The IRB—Friend or Foe? 45Informed Consent Forms and Assent Forms 50A Few More Words on the IRB 52Summary 52Key Terms 52Discussion Questions 53Suggested Topics 53Online Activities 53CHAPTER THREE: THE LITERATURE REVIEW 55The Literature Review and Action Research 56What Is a Literature Review? 56Rationale for Reviewing Literature 57Literature Review for Action Research 57Conducting a General Literature Review: Processes and Steps 59Identifying and Selecting Appropriate Sources 61Relevancy, Accuracy, and Value of Online Sources 64Online Literature Review 65What Experts Have to Say 70Organizing Sources and Themes in the Literature Review 71Writing the Review 73Summary 79Key Terms 80Discussion Questions 80Suggested Topics 80Online Activities 81CHAPTER FOUR: DESIGNING RESEARCH QUESTIONS 83What Drives a Study? 84Starting Point for Generating Questions 84Research Considerations 88Research Design and Research Questions 89Research Questions as a Blueprint or Framework 89The Research Statement 93Characteristics of Good Research Questions 93Questions, Questions, Questions: Examples and Practice 96Research Umbrella as a Source for Research Questions 96Broad Themes, Subthemes, and Research Questions 99Returning to the Literature Review 101Blending Ideas to Achieve Refined Overarching Questions 101Research Questions, Chronology, and Writing 103Summary 104Key Terms 104Discussion Questions 104Suggested Topics 105Online Activities 105CHAPTER FIVE: IDENTIFYING DATA SETS TO INFORM INQUIRY 107Revisiting Questions 108Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods 108Data Versus Data Sets 114Data Sets That Inform 116Aligning Multiple Forms of Data with Overarching Questions 117Triangulation and the Triangulation Matrix 121Qualitative Data Instruments and Schedules 123Research and Data Collection Schedules 130Summary 132Key Terms 135Discussion Questions 135Suggested Topics 135Online Activities 136CHAPTER SIX: THE ACTION RESEARCHER’S TOOLS 137Tools for Conducting Research 138Reflective Practice 145Identifying and Collecting Artifacts 154Making Use of Electronic Sources and Technology 154Summary 157Key Terms 158Discussion Questions 158Suggested Topics 159Online Activities 159QUALITATIVE DATA 163Getting Started 164Collecting and Analyzing Data 165Organizing Data 169Revisiting the Triangulation Matrix 171Examining the Pieces 171Examining Individual Data Sets and Subsets 173Coding and Analyzing 189Identifying Categories and Defining Attributes 191The Big Picture 196Summary 197Key Terms 197Discussion Questions 197Suggested Topics 198Online Activities 198CHAPTER EIGHT: THE ACTION RESEARCH REPORT 201Writing the Action Research Report 202Rationale for Writing the Report 203Components 203Tips for Writing 204Reporting and Presenting Findings 206The Action Research Report Assignment 213Summary 216Key Term 216Discussion Questions 216Suggested Topics 217Online Activities 217CHAPTER NINE: DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING THE ACTION PLAN 219The Action Plan 220Rationale 221Purpose 221When Is an Action Plan Appropriate? 222Informed Decision Making 223Designing the Plan 224Components 225Using Findings to Inform Design 230Continuous Improvement 230Summary 231Key Terms 231Discussion Questions 231Suggested Topics 232Online Activities 232Online Resources for Human Subjects Training and Institutional Review Board Information 235Glossary 237References 243Index 245