The Action Research Guidebook

Preface to the Third Edition Publisher's Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Introduction to Action Research Why Conduct Action Research? The Complexity of Routine Instructional Decisions Key Terms and Concepts Universal Student Success 2. Finding a Focus Zeroing in on Your Priorities Using Reflective Writing to Find a Focus Performance, Process, and Program Targets and Action Research by School Leaders Using a Journal to Identify Action Research Foci Reflective Interviews Reflective Interviewing and the Problem of Isolation Analytic Discourse Team Reflection 3. Refining the Focus Visualizing Success Conducting an Instructional Postmortem Taking Stock of One's Recent Leadership Experience Comparing Your Experience With the Experience of Others Developing Criteria to Measure Changes With Priority Achievement Targets Creating Performance Rating Scales Rating Scales and Program Action Research The Special Problem of Long-Range Goals Assessing Rate of Growth Determining Adequate Yearly Progress in Real Time Producing Your Own Rate-of-Growth Charts Ascertaining Rate of Growth in Leadership Projects 4. Articulating a Theory of Action If Not Us, Who? An Adequate Knowledge Base Already Exists Going Beyond Proven Practices: Building a Theory of Action Two Kinds of Variables Creating Mileposts on the Route to Mastery Inferring Independent Variables Using the Priority Pie to Identify, Clarify, and Weigh Independent Variables Using the Priority Pie With Descriptive Research 5. Drawing a Theory of Action Why a Map? European Explorers as Action Researchers Building a Graphic Reconstruction Graphic Reconstructions for Quasi-Experimental Research Graphic Reconstructions With Descriptive Research Proofing a Theory of Action for Leadership Projects 6. Determining the Research Questions Three Generic Action Research Questions Developing Your Own Research Questions Two-Step Walk-Through Drafting the Questions Surfacing Research Questions for Leadership Projects 7. Building a Data Collection Plan Data Collection and the Competing Demands for Your Time What Qualifies as Teaching? What Things Qualify as Data? Data in Descriptive Research Data in Quasi-Experimental Research Data Collection and Concerns About Precision Fishing in a Sea of Data Securing Research Assistants Building a Triangulated Data Collection Plan Data Collection Planning for Leadership Projects Integrating Efficiencies Into Your Data Collection Work Using Technology to Compile and Assemble Action Research Data Keeping a Researcher's Journal 8. Analyzing the Data Trend Analysis Organizing Data to Help Answer the Three Generic Questions ACR Question 1: What Did We Do? ACR Question 2: What Changes Occurred Regarding the Achievement Targets? ACR Question 3: What Was the Relationship Between Actions Taken and Any Changes in Performance on the Targets? Drawing Tentative Assertions Using Member Checking to Add Credibility to the Tentative Assertions Additional Tools for Qualitative Data Analysis Qualitative Data Analysis Using Bins and a Matrix Low-Tech Strategies for Bins and Matrixes Using a Computer for Bins and Matrixes 9. Turning Findings Into Action Plans Modifying Your Theory of Action Data-Based Decision Making Turning Your Findings Into Ed Specs Solicit and Brainstorm Action Alternatives Using Ed Specs to Evaluate Action Alternatives Using Ed Specs to Evaluate Action Alternatives for Schoolwide Projects Completing the Cycle: Revised Theory of Action 2 10. Reporting and Sharing Action Research Common Issues Formats for Reporting Creating a Bank of Abstracts Creating a District Archive 11. Conclusion: The School as a Learning Organization The Two Keys: Coherence and Congruence Putting the Pieces Together Resources Resource A: How to Use the Feedback Forms and Summary Reports Resource B: Five Characteristics of a Quality Action Research Project Resource C: Applications for Leadership Projects Resource D: Sample Abbreviated Action Research Reports Glossary References Index