Action Research (eBook)

Jeffrey Glanz is Head of the M.Ed. program in leadership and management at Michlala-Jerusalem College, and a Professor of Education in the Azrieli Graduate Schoolat Yeshiva University.

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionBrief DescriptionUniquenessAudienceRationaleAssumptionsGoalsOrganization and ContentReferencesChapter 1: An Introduction to Action Research: It’s Not AllThat ComplicatedWhat Is Research?Ignorance About the Utility of ResearchResearch as a Professional ResponsibilityWhy Educational Leaders Might Avoid ResearchA Paradigm for ResearchEvaluation Research: The Most Common Use of Action Research for Educational LeadersEvolution of Action ResearchAction Research DefinedBenefits of Action ResearchAction Research Is Not ComplicatedSteps in Action ResearchThe Educational Leader as a Reflective PractitionerReflective PracticeSummaryReferencesChapter 2: Teaching and Doing Action Research ThroughGeneral SemanticsIntroductionWhat Is General Semantics?Course DescriptionAnother Lesson From General SemanticsSummary and ConclusionReferencesChapter 3: Getting Started on an Action Research ProjectGetting Started: The Overall Research PlanClarifying PurposesConsidering LogisticsThe PlanSuggestions for Getting StartedReferencesChapter 4: Quantitative Approaches to Action ResearchDescriptive ResearchCorrelation ResearchGroup Comparison ResearchChoosing a Research DesignAn Inadequate Research DesignAdequate Research Designs (or Simplified Designs for School Research)ReferencesChapter 5: Qualitative Approaches to Action ResearchHistorical InquiryEthnographic ResearchCase Study ResearchReferencesChapter 6: Easy Steps to Program Development and Evaluation ResearchEight Steps of Program DevelopmentFive Steps of Program EvaluationReferencesChapter 7: Data Collection Techniques That WorkPopular Data Collection Techniques Used in Action ResearchPrimary Data Collection TechniquesSecondary Data Collection TechniquesReferencesChapter 8: How to Analyze Quantitative Data EasilyStatistical AnalysesApplication of Mean, Standard Deviation, and PercentageThe t-TestThe Sign TestThe Mann-Whitney U-TestThe Chi Square and Other User-Friendly StatisticsReferencesChapter 9: How to Analyze Qualitative Data EasilyAnalytic ProceduresComputer ApplicationsTables, Graphs, and ChartsReferencesChapter 10: Putting It All Together: What Does It Mean?Interpreting DataReporting DataWriting the Research ReportOverview of Steps for Writing Up an Action Research ProjectElements of the ReportReferencesChapter 11: Completing Your Action Research Master’s Thesis ProjectStep 1: Identify a TopicStep 2: Write a Literature ReviewStep 3: Develop a Research PlanStep 4: Carry Out the PlanStep 5: Write Up the ResultsChapter 12: Action Research in PracticeAction Planning and ImplementationBecoming Reflective Practitioners Through Action ResearchConclusionReferencesChapter 13:Seven Suggestions for Action ResearchersExpect the UnexpectedBe Receptive to Both Quantitative and Especially Qualitative ApproachesGive It Your AllDon’t Make a Decision Too QuicklyKeep Lines of Communication Open and ClearAppreciate Your Enlightened EyeTake ActionThe Ethics of Action ResearchConclusionReferencesAppendix A: PretestAppendix B: Sample Write-Up of Quantitative and Qualitative Methods and ResultsAppendix C: Sample AppendixesAppendix D: Are You a Good Writer?Appendix E: Brief Description of APAAppendix F: Evaluation Criteria for ReportAppendix G: Sample Consent FormsAppendix H: Sample Cover LetterAppendix I: Sample Action Research Proposals by TeachersGlossaryAnnotated ReferencesIndexAbout the Author