Action research can be very flexible in the types of questions it asks as well as who is involved in the research process. In this chart by Eileen Ferrance, you can see that the researcher can range from an individual teacher to a district-wide activity. The focus of the research discussions and approach may vary depending on the individuals or groups involved.
|
Individual Teacher |
Collaborative |
School-Wide Action |
District Wide Action |
Focus |
Single classroom issue |
Single classroom or |
School issue, problem, or |
District issue
|
Possible Support Needed |
Access to technology Assistance with data |
Substitute teachers Release time Close link with |
School commitment Leadership Communication External partners |
District commitment Facilitator External partners |
Potential Impact |
Curriculum instruction |
Curriculum instruction Policy |
Potential to impact Policy Parent involvement Evaluation of programs |
Allocation of resources Professional development Organizational structures Policy |
Side Effects |
Practice informed by data |
Improved collegiality Formation of |
Improved Team building Disagreements on process |
Improved collegiality, Team building Disagreements on process |
(Ferrance, 2000, p. 6)
Ferrance, E. (2000) Action Research. Providence, RI. Retrieved October 6, 2018 from https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/sites/brown.edu.academics.education-alliance/files/publications/act_research.pdf