Action Research in Education, First Edition

Sara Efrat Efron, EdD, is Professor of Education at National Louis University, where she teaches courses in qualitative research, curriculum studies, and foundations of education to preservice, inservice, and doctoral students. Dr. Efron's areas of interest include teacher research, the role of the teacher's personal voice, and moral democratic education. Ruth Ravid, PhD, is Professor Emerita of Education at National Louis University. Her areas of interest include educational research, action research, assessment, and school-university collaboration. Dr. Ravid is the author of several books, including Practical Statistics for Educators.

1. Introduction to Action Research
What Is Educational Research?
Practitioners as Researchers
Historical Perspectives
The Unique Characteristics of Action Research
Chapter Summary
Chapter Exercises and Activities
Additional Readings
2. Choosing and Learning about Your Research Topic
Choosing Your Research Topic
Framing the Research Problem Statement
Developing the Literature Review
Formulating Specific Research Question(s)
Chapter Summary
Chapter Exercises and Activities
Additional Readings
3. Approaches to Action Research
Educational Research Approaches
Qualitative Educational Research
Quantitative Educational Research
Mixed-Methods Research
Choosing an Approach for Your Research Project
Chapter Summary
Chapter Exercises and Activities
Additional Readings
4. Developing a Plan of Action
Considering Your Role as a Researcher
Establishing the Research Scope
Identifying the Research Site and Participants
Choosing Data Collection Procedures
Ensuring the Study’s Validity and Trustworthiness
Developing Ethical Guidelines
Creating a “To-Do” List
Finalizing the Research Plan
Chapter Summary
Chapter Exercises and Activities
Additional Readings
5. Data Collection Tools
Observation
Interview
Surveys
Artifacts and Documents
Final Comments about Data Collection Tools
Chapter Summary
Chapter Exercises and Activities
Additional Readings
6. Using Assessment Data in Action Research
Understanding Standardized Commercial Achievement Tests
Teacher-Made Tests
Writing Instructional Objectives
Constructing Teacher-Made Traditional Assessment Tools
Using Teacher-Made Authentic Assessment Tools
Final Comments about Classroom Assessment
Chapter Summary
Chapter Exercises and Activities
Additional Readings
7. Data Analysis and Interpretation
Qualitative Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Analysis
Mixed-Methods Data Analysis
Reporting the Study’s Results, Conclusions, and Implications
Chapter Summary
Chapter Exercises and Activities
Additional Readings
8. Writing, Sharing, and Implementing the Research Findings
Writing a Formal Action Research Report
Developing Alternative Formats for Reporting on Action Research
Sharing the Research Findings
Implementing the Research Findings
Completing the Action Research Project
Becoming a Part of the Research Community
Chapter Summary
Chapter Exercises and Activities
Additional Readings
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Authors