What is Action Research and how do we use it?

Action Research is a systematic approach to solving a problem.  This means that you have to collect data, ask questions, get more information, ask more questions, and then draw out a plan to solve the original problem.  Istead of just researching for a solution, you need to go through the steps of the system to find your answer.  Systematic research is a very involved process where you must constantly analyze data and ask more questions to dig deeper into the problem.  Action research is an approach that involves heavy reflection and improvement upon those taking part.  Traditional research methods came from the top down.  It usually began with someone in a leadership position researching new practices or procedures and sending them down to the schools to implement without ever spending a day in their hallways.  As you can imagine, this resulted in constant conflict from the teachers and poor effort to instill the new system.  Action research starts from within the school and ends from within.  Teachers and administrators take ownership of the problem and create a system to solve it.  The road to the conclusion may take many turns and bumps but when someone takes ownership of a task, they strive to complete it and are much more capable of adapting to the new change.  Action research has shown significant evidence of self-improvement and professional development upon those who choose to partake in the process.  It is a very self-reflective system that causes you to question your methods, inquire about best practices, and implement new changes.

Action research can be used by teachers, administrators, district officers, and anyone else who chooses to partake.  Schools have began using action research during faculty meetings, PLC's, within administrative teams, and in the classroom with the students as well.  Each educational setting has a different systematic approach but all end with professional development and a progressive result.  Teachers have began implementing action research right into the curriculum, showing students how to take this systematic approach of inquiring about an issue to gain a deeper understanding.  School leaders have implemented action research into faculty meetings by sending out all announcements and other administrative notes through email beforehand so when they get to the meeting, they get into small groups and jump into action about different issues.