A Short Guide to Action Research4th Edition
Andrew P. Johnson, Ph.D.
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Chapter 4: The Beginning
An Overview of the Action Research Process
1. It is not an experiment
2. You are not trying to prove something.
3. The goal is to understand, evaluate, problem solve, find new ideas,or see how old ideas work
Action Research Steps
1. Identify a problem or research topic
2. Set the problem or research topic in a theoretical context
3. Make a plan for data collection
4. Begin to collect and analyze data
5. If necessary, allow the question or problem to change as you collectdata
6. Analyze and organize the data
7. Report the data
8. Make your conclusions and recommendations
9. Create a plan of action
10. Put your plan into action and evaluate
Finding Your Research Topic
1. Study or evaluate a teaching strategy
2. Identify and investigate a problem
3. Examine an area of interest
Other Strategies for Finding a Research Topic
1. Brainstorm and list topics of interest
2. Evaluate a program, policy, pedagogical strategy or plan at yourschool or in your district.
3. Survey or interview to examine people’s perceptions and attitudes
4. Check to see if students are learning and/or what they are learning
5. Collect data to make a case for your effectiveness as a teacher
6. Evaluate practice as compared to the school mission statement
7. Observe students
