Collaborative Action Research

LIB 604 Libraries in the

School CurriculumSpring 2012

What is it?

What is Collaborative Action Research?– a process in which participants systematically

examine their own educational practice using the techniques of research, for the purpose of increasing learning of students, their teachers, and other interested parties.• Caro-Bruce. (2000). Action Researcher: Facilitator’s

Handbook. National Council of Staff Development.

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How does it work?

Teamwork– According to Sagor (1992), collaborative action

research involves “people who want to do something to improve their own situation” (p. 7) taking action. The focus of the research process is “teams of practitioners who have common interests” (p. 10) working together to investigate issues relevant to their interests. • Collaborative action research and school counselors.

From: Professional School Counseling  |  Date: 10/1/2005  |  Author: Rowell, Lonnie L.

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But what is action research?

What is Action Research?– Action Research is a process in which participants

examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully using the techniques of research.  • Heidi Watts, Antioch Graduate School, same definition as

cited in Action Research, by Eileen Ferrance

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Assumptions behind action research

– teachers and principals work best on problems they have identified for themselves;

– teachers and principals become more effective when encouraged to examine and assess their own work and then consider ways of working differently;

– teachers and principals help each other by working collaboratively;

– working with colleagues helps teachers and principals in their professional development.

• What is Action Research? Heidi Watts, Antioch Graduate School

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Another definition

Action research– is the process through which teachers

collaborate in evaluating their practice jointly; raise awareness of their personal theory; articulate a shared conception of values; try out new strategies to render the values expressed in their practice more consistent with the educational values they espouse; record their work in a form which is readily available to and understandable by other teachers; and thus develop a shared theory of teaching by researching practice. • John Elliott

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Video Interview of Elliott7

Why action?

The Meaning of “Action”– Traditionally, scientific research has been conducted by professional

full-time researchers. They generally choose their topics based on their personal predilections or the preference of journal editors, and they publish reports of their work with the hope that someone will someday make use of it. But even if no one does, their work is usually complete upon publication of their report.

– Action research, on the other hand, is conducted by people who want to do something to improve their own situation. When other people read about their work, notice it, or make use of it, that is simply icing on the cake. Action researchers undertake a study because they want to know whether they can do something in a better way.

• Sagor, How to Conduct Collaborative Action Research, Chapter 2. Defining Collaborative Action Research

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A Related Concept

collaborative inquiry– Inquiry is the investigation of users and their

context in order to understand their problem space, their goals, and associated design constraints, usually by observational methods, surveys, and interviews. Collaborative inquiry involves the users (or potential users) of an application in the investigation, relying on them as collaborators for their domain knowledge and appreciation of user needs.• Glossary » collaborative inquiry

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Why collaborative?

There are least two reasons for advocating CAR:

– Firstly, . . . many teachers lack the necessary expertise to engage in action research.

– Our second reason for advocating CAR is that collaboration provides an avenue for discussion. • Abdullah, K. I . and Hashim, A .

Collaborative action research Australian Association for Research in Education 1996 – Singapore Joint ERA/AARE Conference

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Why Collaborative Inquiry?

Rationale for collaborative inquiry:– . . . this argument posits that research knowledge and

evaluation data are valid only when informed by practitioner perspectives.

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Five Phases of Action Research

Phase I - Problem Identification

Phase II - Plan of Action

Phase III - Data Collection

Phase IV - Analysis of Data

Phase V - Plan for Future Action– Adapted from the St. Louis Action Research Evaluation Committee

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Guidelines typically used in teacher action research

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Compare Ferrance’s Five Step Process

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Step one15

Step 1: Importance of the problem statement

“Is a puzzlement” (Rodgers and Hammerstein: The King and I)

– The problem statement defines the puzzlement which guides the inquiry of the project. Problem statements often take the form of a central question that yields subquestions. • Seider, S. (2002, Fall). Syllabus, EDEL 591 Designing Action Research

in Elementary/Early Childhood Education (no longer available online)

• See also Guidelines for Developing a Question

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Step 1:Problem formulation

A key characteristic of action research– Action research involves puzzling, the identification of

a ‘problem’ where there is some doubt about how to proceed. It requires the ability to constantly ask questions (problem definition), in addition to the determination of patterns through the formal tools of systematic audit.• Research to Support Schools of Ambition: Annual Report 2007.

School enquiry– ‘conformative’ or creative?, p. 32.

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Step 1:How do I choose a research question to study?

The question should be:– Focused on your practice– Focused on client/student impact– Within your control to influence– Something you feel passionate about– Something you’d like to change– Aligned with your professional growth  

• Action Research Question Formation: 3. Question Characteristics

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Step Two19

Step Three

– See also A Process for Analyzing Your Data and Guidelines for Analyzing Your Data

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Step Four21

The Structure of an Action Research Report

Introduction

A description of the research process

An analysis of the data

An action plan – [AKA Action Planning, i.e. the plan you create in

Ferrance’s Step Five (Reflection) for what comes next as a result of what you’ve discovered]

• Sagor, How to Conduct Collaborative Action Research, ch. 6

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Action Planning– What is Action Planning?

• Action planning is a process which will help you to focus your ideas and to decide what steps you need to take to achieve particular goals that you may have. It is a statement on paper of what you want to achieve over a given period of time. Preparing an action plan is a good way to help you to reach your objectives in life.

• An effective action plan should give you a concrete timetable and set of clearly defined steps to help you to reach your objective, rather than aimlessly wondering what to do next. It helps you to focus your ideas and provides you with an answer to the question ‘‘What do I do to achieve my objective?’’

– University of Kent > Careers > Employability Skills > Action Planning

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The Many Faces of Parent Involvement, p. 86

Step Five

Reflection

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