Action Research for Educators

Daniel R. Tomal is professor and acting chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at Concordia University teaching educational leadership and research as well as a consultant and author of six books such as Discipline by Negotiation, and has made guest appearances on many national radio and television shows.

Tomal provides a guide to action research that should be in the library of every educator. The principles of this book have the potential to motivate teachers, inspire best practices, and to pursue action plans that transform schools. Reading this book will enhance the practice of novice educators interested in problem solving and heighten the resolve of experienced educators to engage in practical research. A must-read for practicing educators and students. Essential.

• Part 1 PrefacePart 2 AcknowledgmentsPart 3 Chapter 1: The Nature of Educational ResearchChapter 4 Principles of ResearchChapter 5 Quantitative Versus Qualitative ResearchChapter 6 Action Research PrinciplesPart 7 Chapter 2: Action ResearchChapter 8 History of Action ResearchChapter 9 Action Research ModelChapter 10 Statement of the Problem (Initial Diagnosis)Chapter 11 Developing an Action Research ProposalChapter 12 BenchmarkingChapter 13 Ethical and Legal ConsiderationsPart 14 Chapter 3: Data Collection MethodsChapter 15 The Nature of Data CollectionChapter 16 ObservingChapter 17 InterviewingChapter 18 SurveyingChapter 19 AssessingChapter 20 ProcessingPart 21 Chapter 4: Data Analysis and InterpretationChapter 22 Threats to ValidityChapter 23 Using Descriptive StatisticsChapter 24 Using Graphs and DiagramsChapter 25 Writing Narrative ReportsPart 26 Chapter 5: Solving Problems and Taking ActionChapter 27 Barriers to Problem SolvingChapter 28 Steps in Solving ProblemsChapter 29 Managing ChangeChapter 30 Planning and Initiating ActionPart 31 Chapter 6: Evaluating Action ResearchChapter 32 Areas for EvaluationChapter 33 Methods for Evaluating ResultsPart 34 Chapter 7: Conducting Action ResearchChapter 35 Sample Research StudyChapter 36 Collaborative Process Intervention: An Action Research StudyPart 37 Appendix A: Ethical Standards of the American Educational Research AssociationPart 38 Appendix B: Seventy-Five Ideas for Conducting Action ResearchPart 39 BibliographyPart 40 IndexPart 41 About the Author