Action Research

Craig A. Mertler is currently a Professor of Action Research and Quantitative Methods at Barry University in Miami, Florida. He began his career as a high school biology teacher. He has been an educator for 39 years—29 of those in higher education at Bowling Green State University, the University of West Georgia, Lynn University, Arizona State University, and Barry University, and 12 years as an administrator (department chair, doctoral program director, and education dean). Over his career, he has taught courses focused on the application of action research to promote educator empowerment, school improvement, and job-embedded professional development, as well as classroom assessment, research methods, and statistical analyses. He has served as the research methodology expert and/or chair on more than 140 doctoral dissertations and master’s theses. He is the author of 30 books, 9 invited book chapters, and 25 refereed journal articles. He has also presented more than 40 research papers at professional meetings around the country, as well as internationally.He conducts workshops for in-service educational professionals (at all levels) on classroom-based action research and on the topics of classroom assessment and assessment literacy, as well as data-driven educational decision making. His primary research and consulting interests include classroom-based action research, data-driven educational decision making, professional learning communities, and classroom teachers’ assessment literacy. In his leisure time, he enjoys traveling with his family to the beach and sometimes writing a little fiction. Dr. Mertler can be reached at craig.mertler@gmail.com for consulting, professional development, and speaking engagements. Additionally, you can visit his website at www.craigmertler.com.

"This is by far the finest textbook on this topic available."

• Part I • What Is Action Research?Chapter 1 • Introduction to Action ResearchWhat Is Action Research?The Importance of Action ResearchApplications of Action ResearchIs This Really Research? Rigor in Action ResearchChapter 2 • Overview of the Action Research ProcessStages and Steps in Action ResearchThe Planning StageThe Acting StageThe Developing StageThe Reflecting StageA Brief ExamplePart II • How Do I Begin My Action Research Study?Chapter 3 • Planning for Action Research and Reviewing Related LiteratureIdentifying a Topic for ResearchGathering Preliminary InformationReviewing the Related LiteratureChapter 4 • Developing a Research PlanResearch QuestionsBasic Research DesignsEthical Considerations in Your ResearchGetting Organized for Your ResearchPart III • What Do I Do With All These Data?Chapter 5 • Collecting DataQualitative Data Collection TechniquesQuantitative Data Collection TechniquesNotes About Ethics and Data CollectionA Final Note About Organization and AlignmentChapter 6 • Analyzing DataQualitative Data Analysis TechniquesQuantitative Data Analysis TechniquesA Note About Mixed-Methods Data AnalysisReporting the Results of Data AnalysisPart IV • I’ve Got Results! . . . Now What?Chapter 7 • Next Steps and Future Cycles: Developing an Action PlanDeveloping Action PlansLevels of Action PlansAction Planning: A Time for ReflectionChapter 8 • Writing an Action Research ReportConventions of Academic WritingA Word About Ethics When Writing Research ReportsPractical Guidelines for WritingChapter 9 • Sharing and ReflectingCommunicating the Results of Action ResearchReflecting on the Action Research ProcessAppendix A. Sample Action Research Report: Differentiated Spelling: Using Small Group InstructionAppendix B. Sample Action Research Report: Implementing Personal Devices in MathAppendix C. Action Research Developmental TemplatesGlossaryReferencesIndex