Action Research Procedures

Stage 1: Researchers identify, evaluate, and formulate a problem that is viewed as critical to their everyday teaching. This problem need not be restricted to a particular class but could involve a system change such as curriculum innovations in a school system.

Stage 2: Researchers consult with other interested parties— teachers, other researchers, and administrators—in order to focus the problem more clearly and perhaps suggest the cause of the problem. This stage is crucial because it involves the clarification of the objectives and assumptions of the study.

Stage 3: Researchers review research literature to find out what can be learned from comparable studies.

Stage 4: Based on their reading, researchers may modify or redefine the initial statement of the problem, which may take the form of a set of objectives or a testable hypothesis. They also explicitly state the assumptions underlying the project.

Stage 5: Researchers specify the research design including the participants, choice of materials, and procedures.

Stage 6: Researchers clarify how the project will be evaluated with an understanding that this evaluation will be continuous.

Stage 7: Researchers implement the project undertaking the data collection process.

Stage 8: Researchers analyze the data, draw inferences, and evaluate the project.