ERIC Number: EJ1171897
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jun
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2154-6282
EISSN: N/A
An Inquiry into Action Research: Teaching and Doing Action Research for the First-Time
Palak, Deniz
i.e.: inquiry in education, v4 n1 Article 3 Jun 2013
I undertook this inquiry into action research while teaching research methods within a graduate degree teacher education program. This inquiry represents my initial encounter with action research and describes the tools, challenges, and uncertainties that I encountered while teaching and doing action research for the first-time. The main purpose of this inquiry was to make research-based decisions about the value of action research: whether it was worthy to employ within a graduate degree program. Thus, I conducted the current inquiry to be able to make claims about (1) the rigor of the action research in relation to the traditional approaches to research and (2) meaningfulness of action research in terms of producing both action and research outcomes for teacher practitioners. I learned that action has yet to gain respect and recognition for improving the professional lives of teachers in the field of education. Action research has a unique place in the family of research methods, for it produces both research and action-oriented outcomes at the same time. In brief, I argue that action research is as rigorous and meaningful as the improvements teachers make in their practices within their contexts.
Descriptors: Action Research, Educational Benefits, Evidence Based Practice, Graduate Study, Research Methodology, Reflection, Validity, Reliability, Teacher Researchers
Center for Practitioner Research at National Louis University. 122 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603. Tel: 800-443-5522 x2277; e-mail: digitalcommons@nl.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/ie/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A