Action Research Overview

As I've entered the second month of my eighteen-month journey to obtain my educational-administration-master’s degree, I've been tasked with becoming an action researcher.  Action research (also called inquiry or classroom research) is aptly named in that one does not simply go along with someone else's research and implement it; action researchers do the inquiring themselves based upon issues specific to their situation.  Traditionally, research is done outside of schools in institutions of higher learning or private research facilities.  Although these traditional studies can yield significant results, these results won’t necessarily transfer to all school settings.  Action research is different in that the very people dealing with certain issues are the ones doing the research.  This is why action research is such a good tool for administrators in education.  By making pertinent observations of local issues and personally inquiring about the subject, administrators can be proactive in the continual improvement of their campus and community.   Action research also allows for collaboration with those around you.  Instead of the top-down approach of, “Just do what I say,” action researchers involve the staff around them, encouraging them to become part of the solution to a problem most, if not all of them, face.  I’m very excited to learn more about this contemporary style of research and look forward to putting it to use this year.