Action Research and How It Can Be Used

There are different types of action research depending upon the participants involved. A plan of research can involve a single teacher investigating an issue in his or her classroom, a group of teachers working on a common problem, or a team of teachers and others focusing on a school or district-wide issue. Collaborative action research is a collaborative activity among colleagues searching for solutions to everyday, real problems experienced in schools, or looking for ways to improve instruction and increase student achievement. This process consists of the educator/administrator and probing his/her own skills, techniques, philosophies, and decisions. Action research allows the educator/administrator to address concerns that are closest to them, ones over which they can exhibit some influence and make change. Taking the time to engage in action research or administrator inquiry; can prove to be beneficial not only for a campus administrator, but for staff, students, and all stakeholders. The process of action research assists educators/administrator in assessing needs, documenting the steps of inquiry, analyzing data, and making informed decisions that can lead to desired outcomes. Overall, action research is a great tool that can help an administrator bring the focus of their work back to their leadership in teaching and learning.