In the realm of education, action research corresponds to assisting the actor, or student, with improving and refining their actions. Action research has many positive effects for the student, as well as assisting teachers in becoming better educators and furthering development for their students.
Action research has a few major theories: Chris Argyris’ action science, John Heron and Peter Reason’s cooperative inquiry, Paulo Freire’s participatory action research (PAR) and William Barry’s living educational theory.
- Chris Argyris: His theory begins with studying how humans design their actions in difficult situations. Argyris created “single-loop learning” and “double-loop learning.” A single-loop learning cycle is created when people use their actions to achieve intended consequences, suppressing conflict about the process variables used to reach these consequences. A double-loop learning cycle is intended to reach the intended consequences, but also to inquire about the process taken to achieve these goals as well as alter the usual process.
- John Heron and Peter Reason: The major idea involved with cooperative inquiry is to research “with” people rather than “on” them. Instead of having researchers and participants, the participants become co-researchers.
- Paulo Freire: Participatory action research promotes participation and action. This theory is in contradiction of the traditional formal models of education where teachers impart information to students, who passively listen and don’t participate.
- William Barry: Barry’s goal was to have researchers ask themselves, “How can I improve what I’m doing?” This theory involved taking responsibility for being a living contradiction in their practice, or thinking one way and then acting another. In short, researchers were not to let norms and self-behavior influence and contradict their own values and beliefs.
Using action research, whether for an individual, a group of colleagues or an institution, requires the following steps:
- Select a focus
- Clarify the theories
- Identify research questions
- Collect data
- Report results
- Take informed action
The ultimate goal is to create teachers who are reflective, build a professional culture within their institution and continue moving forward with institutional priorities with an objective of overall program improvement and excellence.
If you are interested in becoming an educator who utilizes action research in the classroom, degrees such as a Master of Education in Differentiated Instruction offer the necessary instruction. The program focuses on helping current or future teachers gain skills that will assist when dealing with struggling students. Not all students learn the same way; some struggle with certain learning behaviors, while others may find their cultural background to be an educational barrier. Using action research can help teachers connect with students and implement different strategies to help each student achieve a comfortable learning environment.