You are in: North America
Change location

You are here

Book > Textbooks > Staff Development & Professional Learning
Action Research
Share
Share

Action Research
Improving Schools and Empowering Educators

Seventh Edition
June 2024 | 376 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Download flyer
Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators, Seventh Edition serves as a comprehensive guide on action research for both beginning and experienced educators. Instead of focusing on theoretical aspects of research, the book provides detailed yet practical information guiding readers step-by-step through the iterative process of action research in a classroom or school-based context. The text adopts a highly sequential manner, beginning with topic conceptualization, reviewing related research, designing the study, executing the investigation, developing an action plan, and ultimately disseminating and reflecting on the results. A distinguishing feature of this book is the integration of numerous relatable examples, hands-on exercises, case studies, and explorations of published action research entries to ensure material comprehension. Each chapter of this Seventh Edition has been updated with a new Action Research Case Study, featuring the move to virtual instruction for the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Throughout, the author has added more on alternative strategies for disseminating research and expanded discussion of research topics, problems, questions, data, and analysis. Additionally, the entire book has also been updated for the Seventh Edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association to be current with the latest best practices in research.

Included with this title:

LMS Cartridge: Import this title’s instructor resources into your school's learning management system (LMS) and save time. Don't use an LMS? You can still access all of the same online resources for this title via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site. Select the Resources tab on this page to learn more.
 
Part I • What Is Action Research?
 
Chapter 1 • Introduction to Action Research
What Is Action Research?

 
The Importance of Action Research

 
Applications of Action Research

 
Is This Really Research? Rigor in Action Research

 
 
Chapter 2 • Overview of the Action Research Process
Stages and Steps in Action Research

 
The Planning Stage

 
The Acting Stage

 
The Developing Stage

 
The Reflecting Stage

 
A Brief Example

 
 
Part II • How Do I Begin My Action Research Study?
 
Chapter 3 • Planning for Action Research and Reviewing Related Literature
Identifying a Topic for Research

 
Gathering Preliminary Information

 
Reviewing the Related Literature

 
 
Chapter 4 • Developing a Research Plan
Research Questions

 
Basic Research Designs

 
Ethical Considerations in Your Research

 
Getting Organized for Your Research

 
 
Part III • What Do I Do With All These Data?
 
Chapter 5 • Collecting Data
Qualitative Data Collection Techniques

 
Quantitative Data Collection Techniques

 
Notes About Ethics and Data Collection

 
A Final Note About Organization and Alignment

 
 
Chapter 6 • Analyzing Data
Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques

 
Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques

 
A Note About Mixed-Methods Data Analysis

 
Reporting the Results of Data Analysis

 
 
Part IV • I’ve Got Results! . . . Now What?
 
Chapter 7 • Next Steps and Future Cycles: Developing an Action Plan
Developing Action Plans

 
Levels of Action Plans

 
Action Planning: A Time for Reflection

 
 
Chapter 8 • Writing an Action Research Report
Conventions of Academic Writing

 
A Word About Ethics When Writing Research Reports

 
Practical Guidelines for Writing

 
 
Chapter 9 • Sharing and Reflecting
Communicating the Results of Action Research

 
Reflecting on the Action Research Process

 
 
Appendix A. Sample Action Research Report: Differentiated Spelling: Using Small Group Instruction
 
Appendix B. Sample Action Research Report: Implementing Personal Devices in Math
 
Appendix C. Action Research Developmental Templates
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

"This is by far the finest textbook on this topic available."

Bill Morelan
Arkansas Tech University

"Excellent. Well organized and easy to follow. Students can use this book to learn and professors can use it to set up their courses."

Angelo J. Letizia
Notre Dame of Maryland University

This is a wonderful textbook, and it is not at all the reason I will not be adopting it. It is simply because I am not teaching EPRS 7900 (Methods of Research in Education) going forward, and other resources have since been adopted as a result.

Dr Natasha N. Johnson
Educ Policy Studies Dept, Georgia State Univ-Atlanta
September 27, 2024
Report this review
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The Seventh Edition introduces a new Action Research Case Study in each chapter, focusing on an educator coping with the shift to virtual instruction during COVID-19.
  • Discussion of COVID-19, its effects on the classroom, including remote learning, and new and developing research help place the methods in a contemporary and practical context.
  • Expanded introductory content helps students more easily grasp the scope and purpose of action research.
  • Alternative strategies for the dissemination of action research results such as social media, personal websites, videos, blogs, vlogs, and podcasts help students make their research more accessible.
  • Throughout, but especially in Chapter 8: Writing an Action Research Report, the book has been updated to the APA 7th Edition Publication Manual.
  • A discussion of the importance of the alignment between research topics, problems, questions, data, and analysis (TPQDA) helps ensure a smoother research process and usable results.
  • Two new and more current examples of educator-conducted action research in Appendix A and Appendix B more fully demonstrate the relevance and particulars of action research to students.
KEY FEATURES:
  • The text is organized by sequentially mirroring an action research study, presenting the process of designing and conducting an action research study. However, it is important to note that action research proceeds through this process in a cyclical manner.
  • Three Action Research Case Studies provide detailed scenarios of action research and extend throughout each chapter. In each chapter, the case study discussions continue from the previous section, highlighting the application of content as integrated into three practically based action research studies.
  • Numerous, detailed examples throughout the book, including examples provided by the author and from published action research studies, support students' understanding and bring content to life.
  • A helpful visual organizer for the main contents is found on the first page of each chapter, providing students with clear guidelines of what to anticipate.
  • A final Questions and Activities section found in every chapter can be used to extend student knowledge, understanding, and application.
  • Other pedagogical features include a bulleted summary in each chapter of its main points, a complete glossary of terms, a list of references, as well as a comprehensive subject and author index.
  • Three appendices include complete written reports of teacher-conducted action research projects, as well as developmental templates to guide the novice action researcher.

Sage College Publishing

You can purchase or sample this product on our Sage College Publishing site:

Go To College Site