What is Action Research?

What we think.... 

• Unlike normal research, in which the goal is to generate new knowledge, action research is a collaborative, data-driven, on-going process designed to improve a skill set. The two main aspects of actions research we will be focusing on  are (1) the collaborative nature of the research, in which multiple people, connected through various means, are working together to assess a problem, and (2) the goal of this research, which is to enhance the processes of teaching and learning in our school. ~Jason
• Action research is a process for schools to gather and analyze information so that there is a consistent improvement on teaching and learning.  Action research can be quantitative or qualitative, but also an individual, collaborative, and/or school wide approach that can use a variety of tools and methods to achieve this goal.  This implies that there is an ongoing commitment to improvement. ~Sam
• Action Research is a way of gathering information in order to solve problems, enhance teaching or improve learning in educational settings. Action research looks for ways to enhance students achievement and success. It involves recognizing a problem, researching proven methods to solve the problem and puting those methods into practice in your own school setting. In our school, we are often faced with these challenges. Action research is a way to overcome these challenges in a timely and focused fashion.Action research is not simply looking up information, instead it involves ACTION! This is action on the part of the person researching the subject. It is learning by doing. Action research takes on many styles which can be used to collaboratively and actively research a problem. ~Allison
• Action research is a way to identify information, methods, and procedures that improve teaching and learning in an educational environment. In this ever changing world, it is essential that we stay abreast and up to date with individual learning styles and the teaching methods that best encourage them. Action Research enables us to improve teaching and thus improve learning.~Josh
• AT MSJ, we, as teachers and adminstrators, will conduct reasearch using qualitative and quantitative methods, designs, and tools to improve teaching and learning. We believe that conducting our own research in the classroom and collaborating to find solutions will be far better than soley reading others' research. Action research is not just about learning why we do things but about doing things better! Real school reform and change can take hold through this inquiry. ~Beth