There are various definition fitted to “Educational Research” by experts on educational research, these are action one in saying that Action Research is about teachers striving to understand and to improve their practice. Another definition is that action research involves the gathering of evidences about practice. Another definition states that action research helps a teacher to clarify an issue then decide what the teachers’ first change in action is going to be.

            Whichever definitions of action research you will employ, writing is frequently the most powerful way for helping you to make sense of a situation. It allows you to work through ideas and explore possibilities. An action research must possess skills in writing, following its format with the correct mechanics and organization.

            Of course there are some key questions that one may asked before underlying to action research writing and conducting.

            Barrett and Whitehead (1985) ask six questions which should help an educational researcher to starts his/her inquiry:

1. What is your concern?
2. Why are you concerned?
3. What do you think you should do about it?
4. What king of evidence could you collect to help you make some judgment about what is happening?
5. How would you collect such evidences?
6. How would you check that your judgment about what has happened is reasonable, facts and accurate?

You should also ask yourself as a classroom teacher, “What can I investigate through action research?” Action research can be used to investigate functional, everyday issues.

            Some of the starting points might be of the following kinds: “I want to get better at my teaching”. “I am not sure why my students don’t engage in discussion…”. “I have to implement the speaking and listening guidelines, but I am not sure what is the best way…”. “Is there anything I can do about our poor achievement level?”   

            It is important to choose an area that you can do something about.

            So teachers, let’s try conducting an educational action research. In the first place, action research is a tool that is used to help teachers and other educator uncover some challenging concerns and may impact teaching quality.

Reference:

            O”Cannor, R.A. et al. Action Research: A Tool for Improving Teacher Quality and Classroom Practice, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, East Carolina University. Greenvile, NC

By: NANCY P. MACARAIG | TEACHER III | LUAKAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL