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Action Research for Classrooms, Schools, and Communities
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Action Research for Classrooms, Schools, and Communities

First Edition


January 2020 | 184 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Action Research for Classrooms, Schools, and Communities is a core textbook for the action research course. This book addresses the trend toward high-stakes testing and teacher accountability by focusing on understanding student outcomes. With edTPA rapidly becoming part of the requirements for teacher certification, teacher preparation programs will increasingly be looking to measure the impact of the teacher candidate on student learning. The book focuses on the potential for action research to lead to greater understanding about student outcomes from the perspective of teachers, school leaders, and community members. There is a special emphasis on helping pre-service and experienced teachers use action research to understand their impact on student learning. There is an emphasis on using action research to understand community impacts on schools; unlike other books, this text acknowledges the complex ecology linking classrooms, schools, and the community, especially regarding issues fundamental to school reform.

Read a review of Action Research for Classrooms, Schools, and Communities in Teachers College Record

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
Part I: Answering the Call to Action
 
Chapter 1: Action Research in Contemporary Contexts
Defining Action Research

 
Action Research and the Context of Contemporary School Reform

 
Complex Educational Systems

 
Systems Theory

 
Rationale for Action Research

 
Defining Action Research

 
Main Features of Action Research

 
Change as the Desired Outcome

 
 
Chapter 2: Approaches to Action Research
"Something That Matters"

 
Approaches to Educational Research

 
Identifying an Action Research Topic: Problem Posing and Reflection

 
Action Research Case Studies and Understanding Your Impact on Student Learning

 
Collaborative Action Research Projects

 
Action Research Across the Educational System

 
Methodological Approaches

 
 
Part II: Planning an Action Research Study
 
Chapter 3: Literature Review and Theoretical Frameworks
Planning Your Study

 
Reviewing Relevant Literature

 
Guiding Theoretical Frameworks

 
Selected Theories

 
Action Research Compared to Traditional Educational Research

 
 
Chapter 4: Research Questions and Ethics
Problem Posing: Developing Research Questions

 
Planning for Data Collection

 
Choosing Between Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

 
Ethical Concerns

 
Institutional Review Boards

 
 
Part III: Collecting and Analyzing Data
 
Chapter 5: Qualitative Approaches to Data Collection
Chapter Overview

 
Qualitative Data Collection

 
 
Chapter 6: Understanding Through Qualitative Data Analysis
Chapter Introduction

 
Data Analysis and Action Research

 
Procedures for Data for Qualitative Analysis

 
Understanding Validity and "Trustworthiness"

 
 
Chapter 7: Quantitative Approaches to Data Collection and Analysis
Chapter Overview

 
Working with Assessment Data

 
Surveys and Questionnaires

 
Statistical Analysis

 
Quantitative Content Analysis

 
Mixed Methods Approaches

 
Chapter Reflection

 
 
Part IV: Sharing Findings
 
Chapter 8: Reflection and the Action Research Report
Iterative Nature of Writing Up Findings

 
Reflection on Findings

 
Action Research as "Risky Business"

 
Alternatives to Traditional Written Reports

 
Advocating for Yourself and Others

 
Reflection

 
 
References
 
Index

“This book takes a fresh approach to action research by teaching others to use action research to understand how the community impacts schools and how this powerful link can be used to examine school reform endeavors.  I highly recommend it if you teach advanced action research courses.”

Tamarah M. Ashton
California State University, Northridge

“These chapters are also an excellent way of introducing students to the undergraduate research process and provides stepping stones for those who will be seeking graduate degrees and required to conduct research at that level.”

Regina M. Williams
Miami Dade College

“Practical, related to educational inquiry, appropriate to action research instruction.”

Joy F. Xin
Rowan University
Key features
  • Comprehensive yet succinct overview of action research for introductory courses
  • Presents action research as a response to contemporary educational reform 
  • Values insider or "craft" knowledge to leverage teachers' existing knowledge about their educational issues
  • Four distinct sections of the book break down the action research process into manageable steps for students
  • A separate chapter on literature reviews emphasizes the generative context of action research, while also incorporating specific needs and concerns of the researcher
  • Covers qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods strategies, students will be able to apply a wide variety of methods to action research contexts

Sage College Publishing

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