Action Research

Action research is a method of problem solving that enables an organization to study ongoing issues with a specific purpose. It is meaningful and authentic analysis of an issue in an existing system. Rather than waiting for traditional research to yield  results and make suggestions and recommendations for the future, action brings the issue to the forefront, immediately. Different from traditional research, action research does not take place in a sterile environment. Action research is alive and takes place in the field where change is desired. Benefits of action research include quicker results, ability to adjust on the fly based on observations, immediately impacts chosen participants. Limitations of action research include individual bias, of course, a lack of complete control because of the multiple variables involved and most of these type of researchers are amateurs.

The school classroom is a great example of where one might see action research in action. A teacher might recognize a problem with his/her students and want to make a difference, thus prompting a change. For example, the traditional classroom environment is not working for a specific class as evidenced in the first 6 weeks assessment. The teacher, rather than waiting for direction from higher, recognizes that something needs to be done differently in order to see better results. He/she decides to make the class even more interactive by rearranging the student desks, modifies how the class will demonstrate understanding through small group collaboration and minimize the out of class work while increasing the in-class work and student participation.

I may be way off but I believe that teachers are perfect examples of "action researchers". If what we are doing is not working we need to find a solution, sooner rather than later, and action research allows for these efforts to be implemented, monitored, adjusted if needed and all while pursuing the ultimate goal of improving what is being delivered or desired.