Action research is a type of social research initiated to solve an immediate problems, led by individuals working in teams with others. It involves the process of actively participating in an organization change situation whilst conducting research.
3. Introduction
• Introduced by Kurt Lewin in social science.
• Stephen Corey introduced it in the field of
education in 1953.
4. Action Research
Teachers often leave a mark on their students,
but they seldom leave a mark on their
profession"
-(Wolfe, 1989).
5. Introduction
Now in the field of education
“Action research is a systematic investigation
conducted by practitioners to provide
information to immediately improve
teaching and learning.” James H.
McMillan p.329
6. Definitions
Stephen Corey (1953) define it as:
“The process through which practitioners study their
problems scientifically in order to guide, correct
and evaluate their decisions and actions. In the
educational setting i.e. school, the practitioners
are the teachers and his other colleagues who
work to improve instruction.”
7. Definitions
Geoffery E. Mills describe
“Action research in education is any systematic
inquiry conducted by teachers, principals, school
counselors, or other stake holders in the teaching
learning environment. It involve gathering
information about the ways in which their
particular school operates, the teacher teach, and
student learn.”
8. Definitions
Carr and Kemmis say that:
“Action research is a form of self-reflective inquiry that can be
utilized by teachers in order to improve the rationality and
justice of
•Their own practices,
•Their understanding of these practices and
•The situations in which these practices are carried out.”
11. Theories of Action
Research
Two main theories of action research:
• Critical action research
• Practical action research
Philosophical
Perspective
12. Type of Research
It can be quantitative and also be qualitative
Depends upon the:Nature of study
Sample size
Instrumentation
Data Analysis
13. Types of Action Research
In educational context
Four basic types depend upon the
• Nature of study
• Type of problem
14. Types of Action Research
Individual Action research
Collaborative Action Research
School-wide Action Research
District-wide Action Research
15. Individual Action Research
Individual action research based on the
individual teacher research on a single issue in
the classroom. It may be any classroom
problem related to student learning, classroom
management, related to administration or any
instructional strategy.
16. Collaborative Action
Research
When a group of teachers work together to
resolve a common issue related to a group of
students or department, it comes under
collaborative action research.
17. School-Wide Action Research
All issues which are common to all within the
school boundary come under this type. These
common problems can be investigated by the staff
members while working together
18. District-Wide Action
Research
The focus of action research is on those
problems that are wider in nature. District
level educational issues are addressed. It is
more complex in nature and also utilizes more
resources.
19. Advantages
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It is applied in nature.
Care full data collection.
Recommendations are meaningful.
Allow the professional development of teachers.
It creates system wide mind-set for the school
improvement.
• It changes the climate of school.
20. Advantages
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It enhance the decision making power of teachers.
It empower the educational leaders.
Action researchers evaluate themselves.
It improves the communication network.
Researchers are more committed towards their work.
It promotes self-reflection and self-assessment.
The results are relevant and directly applicable.
21. Limitations
•
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Action Research also have following limitation
Did not follow scientific method accurately.
• less emphasize on the previous findings or literature
review.
• Teachers may not able to do research as the professional
researchers
• less about generalizability.
• Special training is required.
22. Concluding remarks
In summary, although some people may
critique that action research is an
informal research since teachers are not
academic researchers, it is widely
believed that action research is extremely
suitable for education as its main purpose
is to help teachers as researchers solve
their teaching problems “in action”.
