Action Research and How to Use It

Reading through the Dana text, Leading with Passion and Knowledge, I have learned about a new way to analyze and reflect on educational situations:  action research.  Action research is the process to analyze schools through the eyes of those involved in the day-to-day procedures, essentially, the administrators and teachers.  This new type of research differs from the traditional in that it involves bringing in an outsider to help fix problems in the school.  She describes “research” as a word with “baggage [and is associated with] long hours in the library,’ and ‘crunching numbers” (Dana, 2009, p. 6).  Dana suggests using the word inquiry instead because it does not carry as many negative connotations.

Action research can be used in different settings within a campus.  It can be teacher-student orientated or administration-teacher orientated.  Teachers can use action research to find what motivates students to learn and how to develop strategies to include some of those ideas.  They can use research to find out how to build more positive relationships among students to prevent bullying or student's relationships with teachers.  Administrators can use research to determine what strengths and/or weaknesses exist within their campus and the steps necessary to make changes.  In other words, action research helps leaders take a look at their own leadership skills and how they can help their learners grow using action research.

Reference List
Dana, N. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The Principal as action researcher. Thousand Oak, CA: Corwin Press