Action Research Defined

Educators work in a complicated environment that is influenced by dynamic variables. Success can be illusive. Attempts to duplicate success from one school to another can have very unpredictable results. Practitioner inquiry provides a problem solving process that is reflective that provides solutions that are tailored specifically to a school or even a class. As a method, it can be simple described as ongoing spirals of reflection and action. Practitioner inquiry helps a professional or group of professionals reflect on the dynamics of the environment, create solutions specifically tailored for their environment, and evaluate the results of the solution.

Specifically, practitioner inquiry involves (1) diagnosing/understanding a problem that needs to be resolved, (2) designing action that is based on data and literature, (3) implementing the action, and (4) evaluating the effectiveness of the action to identify areas needing improvement. This is very similar to what science teachers facilitate their students to do. The scientific method tests theories and poses more questions for study.

Marjorie Ringler describes this process, also called action research, as cyclical and as having four steps. They are as follows; (1) define an Issue to study, (2) review of professional literature, (3) take action, and (4) use and share results.

Traditional research paradigms are linear, leading from a problem and ending with the implementation of a solution. Educators are applying a solutions provided by “outside experts,” typically from a university. Practitioner inquiry is different from traditional educational research. It shifts the defining of a problem and the formation of the solution to the problem from an outside source to an inside source. An educator’s unique perspective provides the best vantage point for defining a situation and forming a solution that is tailored specifically for that situation. Additionally this perspective provides an added insight. Available and applicable resources are best realized by those from within the institution.

One tool in accomplishing action research are blogs. Professional communities using action research can use a blog as a forum. Blogs are ideal for sharing reflections, defined problems, pertainent literature on problems and for share the general result. Another useful tool for conduction a specific action research are wikis. They provide the needed control and alerts to foster communications in an efficient way.