Action Research in Education: A Practical Guide

1. Auflage 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4625-0971-3
Verlag: GUILFORD PUBN

Buch, Englisch, 268 Seiten, Format (B × H): 188 mm x 236 mm, Gewicht: 658 g

This accessible, pragmatic text shows educators step by step how to conduct classroom- and school-based studies to improve instructional practices. The book presents methods and strategies for implementing each stage of the action research cycle, providing balanced coverage of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Readers learn how to: select and define a research topic; develop a literature review; choose a design; formulate data collection strategies; design and/or evaluate assessment tools; and interpret, analyze, and report study results. Helpful examples and vignettes depict a variety of real-world teaching and learning situations, school subjects, and age groups (PreK-12).User-Friendly Features*Exercises and activities in every chapter.*Checklists, guidelines, and templates that enable busy educators to self-assess the progress and quality of their studies.*Example boxes illustrating the components of an action research report.*Summary tables highlighting key aspects of different research strategies.*Chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Efron, Sara Efrat

Ravid, Ruth

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Pädagogik Philosophie der Erziehung, Bildungstheorie
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Forschung und Information Forschungsmethodik, Wissenschaftliche Ausstattung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

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

Über Autor(innen)

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.