Action Research in the M. Ed. In Elementary Education

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Action Research in the M. Ed. In Elementary
Education

• Edwin D. Bell
• School of Education
• Winston-Salem State University

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What is it?

• Action Research
• A group of research methodologies that
• pursue change and understanding. It is a
  cyclical process that alternates between action
  and critical reflection.

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What is It? (continued)

• Action research is a particular type of
  descriptive research that can be carried out by
  educators. (Slavin, 2006)

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Why Do We Use It?

• What is the relationship of Action Research to
  the M. Ed. In Elementary Education?
• It is grounded in constructivism which is
  consistent with the theme of the conceptual
  framework of the School of Education.
• It reinforces the reflection that is a central
  component of NBPTS guidelines.

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How Does the Process Work?

• Look at the situation
• Gather relevant data
• Define and describe
• Build a picture to describe the situation, e.g.,
  force field analysis
• (Stringer, 1999)

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Process (continued)

• Think about the situation
• - Explore and analyze
• - What is happening here
• - Interpret and explain
• - How and why are things the way they are
  (Stringer, 1999)

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Process (continued)

• Act
• - Plan, i.e., develop a logic
• Model
• - Implement
• - Evaluate (Stringer, 1999)

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What Tools Do We Use?

• True and Quasi-Experimental Research designs
  (Gribbons Herman, 1997)
• Triangulation
• Quantitative Methodology
• Qualitative Methodology

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What tools Do we Use? (continued)

• Grounded Theory A thumbnail sketch
• Always try to use field notes as part of your
  triangulation.

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What Do We Do Next

• Questions
• Look at the situation through the conceptual
  frameworks that you have been developing.

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References

• Dick, B. (2005). Grounded theory A thumbnail
  sketch. Resource Papers in Action Research,
  Retrieved from http//www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm
  /ar/arp/grou nded.html
• Gribbons, Barry Herman, Joan (1997). True and
  quasi-experimental designs. Practical
  Assessment, Research Evaluation, 5(14).
  Retrieved May 31, 2006 from http//PAREonline.ne
  t/getvn.asp?v5n14
• Lincoln, Y. S. Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic
  Inquiry. Beverly Hills, CA Sage Publications.
• Slavin, R. E. (2006). Educational Psychology
  Theory and Practice, 8th Edition, Boson, MA
  Allyn and Bacon
• Stringer, E. T. (1999). Action Research, 2nd
  Edition, Thousand Oaks, CA Sage Publications.

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Theme of the Conceptual Framework The School of
Education Winston-Salem State University

• "Winston-Salem State Universitys Teacher
  Education faculty share the vision of preparing
  critical and creative educators who facilitate
  learning for all PK-12 students in a diverse and
  technologically dynamic world .
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