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, 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 Research |
Collaborative Action Research |
School-Wide Action Research |
District Wide Action Research |
Focus |
Single classroom issue |
Single classroom or several classrooms with common issue |
School issue, problem, or area of collective interest |
District issue Organizational Structures
|
Possible Support Needed |
Access to technology Assistance with data organization and analysis |
Substitute teachers Release time Close link with administrators |
School commitment Leadership Communication External partners |
District commitment Facilitator Communication External partners |
Potential Impact |
Curriculum instruction Assessment |
Curriculum instruction Assessment Policy |
Potential to impact school restructuring and change Policy Parent involvement Evaluation of programs |
Allocation of resources Professional development activities Organizational structures Policy |
Side Effects |
Practice informed by data |
Improved collegiality Formation of partnerships |
Improved Team building Disagreements on process |
Improved collegiality, Team building Disagreements on process |
"Action Research" (2000). The Education Alliance at Brown University. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://doi.org/10.26300/a3k2-4v50