My Thoughts on Action Research

Action research is the optimum method in which to identify and create solutions and change. These changes are in response to campus specific issues in an educational community. The verbiage “inquiry” is sometimes utilized as the word “research” conjures negative feelings although the terms “action research” and “administrative inquiry” can be used almost interchangeably. It is an intrinsic approach to studying the administrative actions of the administrative leader by the administrative leader; it is frequently reflective and honest. Action research differs from traditional research in that it is internally derived, introspective, and based on the needs of the campus students and employees rather than a university expert that proposed theoretical solutions that may not be relevant to the idiosyncrasies of the campus in review. Action research is intentional and involves the administrators and staff in the identification of the issue, collection of pertinent data, and interpretation of the data so that an effective solution can be identified. It creates a learning community and allows for ownership of the problem and solution in “solution based” atmosphere rather than the negative, punitive manner of traditional methods. It allows educators and administrators to have a voice in positive change in their community education reforms and allows members to be proactive rather that the traditional reactive approach. The administrative inquiry’s initial purpose is generally to understand facets of the school system and facilitate the appropriate changes for the student, teacher, and principal in an action research initiative.

Action research can be used to solve issues that a campus improvement team identifies or as an alternative to professional development in the schools. Some specific examples might include research that identifies the appropriate methods to use for the various levels of discipline infractions, research that identifies extra-curricular involvement versus discipline issues, or research that identifies appropriate reading levels and success of standardized tests and how to improve literacy levels. These are all issues that may be proposed in a school such as mine at our initial in-service  that would replace traditional research studies and “fad” educational programs that will be short lived and meaningless to the staff and students.