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Chapter 20 Action Research
Suggested Activities
Chapter 20 presents Action Research. Task 9 requires students to develop a design for an action research
study. Students are generally very interested in action research because the application of the research
process is clear.
1. The journal Action Research is an international peer-reviewed quarterly journal that publishes
articles about action research as well as action research studies. The journal was established in
the early 2000s and for the last few years has been publishing reviews of action research that
cover two-year time spans. These reviews may be particularly relevant for students who are
considering action research studies. The scope of the represented work is quite broad. The
citation for one of these reviews is found below. In this article, Bick overviews some of the most
prominent publications in the form of edited volumes and other contributions. Have students read
this article and then access one of the sources mentioned. Each student can return with a brief
summary of the source they accessed. The summary should include:
a. Full Citation
Bick, B, (2010). Action research literature: 2008-1010. Action Research, 9(2), 122-143.
2. Mark Smith has a nice entry for action research in the encyclopedia of informal education at
Potential answers to Handout 20.1 activity are found below (1–4).
1. In the article Smith presents two definitions of action research. How do each of these definitions
compare to the position presented in your text?
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2. On page 2 of Smith’s article, he presents a spiral of steps in action research based on Lewin’s
work. How does this sequence of steps correspond to the dialectic action research spiral
presented in your text? Later in his article Smith includes basic phases of action research process
(p.4). How do these three phases relate to the dialectic action research spiral?
3. Both the chapter and the article present characteristics of action research based on Stringer’s
work. List these characteristics and suggest how action research in a school might demonstrate
these characteristics.
4. Provide a critique that Smith notes regarding Lewin’s work. Do you feel that the approach
discussed in your text addresses this critique? Why or Why not?
Suggested Activities (continued)
3. This activity is based upon the case of Ellen found in Chapter 19. The description of the case is
also found below. For Chapter 20 use the case to practice Task 9 criteria in pairs or small groups
in class.
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necessity of the dissection on moral grounds. She questions whether alternative instruction for
the unit might be possible. Ellen decides to conduct a study to investigate this issue.
1. Write an area of focus statement.
2. Define the variables.
3. Develop the research questions.
4. Describe the intervention or innovation.
5. Describe the membership of the action research group.
6. Describe negotiations that need to be undertaken.
7. Develop a timeline.
8. Develop a statement of resources.
9. Develop data collection ideas.
Possible responses to the above questions:
1. Write an area of focus statement.
2. Define the variables.
3. Develop the research questions.
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4. Describe the intervention or innovation.
5. Describe the membership of the action research group.
6. Describe negotiations that need to be undertaken.
7. Develop a timeline.
8. Develop a statement of resources.
9. Develop data collection ideas.
Suggested Activities (continued)
4. As a follow-up to Activity 3, group students by major or current position and have them develop
a research topic and hypothetical action research plan on a topic of their choosing. Have them
work through the hypothetical plan using the Task 9 criteria as found in the text and above. In
addition, have each group identify 2 recent empirical studies that can inform their action research
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proposal. This activity is best done over two class periods or one longer session. If completed
over two sessions, have students get into groups, and identify a research topic (approximately 15
5. The American Educational Research Association (AERA) has a special interest group (SIG)
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Chapter 20 Test Items
1. Educational action research is generally conducted by
a. school board members.
b. superintendents.
c. policy analysts.
d. teachers.
2. Which of the following is the last step in the action research process?
a. Data analysis
b. Data interpretation
c. Action planning
d. Generalizing the findings
3. The four-step action research process as presented in your text is termed
a. the Dialectic Action Research Spiral.
b. the Action Planning and Implementation Cycle
c. Professional Stance in Action Research System
d. Reciprocal Action Research in Application.
4. The two main types of action research as presented in your text are
a. professional stance and theory-based action research.
b. critical action research and practical action research
c. practical action research and applied action research
d. dialectic action research and critical action research
5. Of the following groups of researchers, which is NOT discussed as a level of action
research?
a. Individual teacher research
b. District-wide research
c. Single department research
d. School-wide research
6. Emancipatory action research is also known as _____________ action research.
a. practical
b. applied
c. critical
d. reflective
7. That action research should be socially responsive is a value of __________ action
research.
a. practical
b. applied
c. reflective
d. critical
8. One primary criticism of critical action research is that it is not
a. conducted in a timely manner.
b. socially responsive.
c. practically feasible.
d. consistent with teachers’ values.
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9. Which of the following is a component of a critical perspective of action research as
presented in your text?
a. Teacher researchers want to reflect on their practices so that they can effectively train
other novice teachers..
b. Teacher researchers have decision-making authority to change education from inside
the classroom at the district level.
c. Teacher researchers examine taken-for-granted ways in which they carry out
professional practice.
d. Teacher researchers will use a systematic approach for reflecting on their practice both
inside and outside of classroom communities.
10. Which of the following is a component of a practical perspective of action research as
presented in your text?
a. Teacher researchers are participatory and democratic.
b. Teacher researchers are socially responsive.
c. Teacher researchers want to reflect on their practices.
d. Teacher researchers conduct action research without compensation.
11. According to your text one of the reasons that teachers might avoid conducting action
research involving multiple schools is the
a. organizational complexity of schools.
b. politics of working with other districts.
c. concerns of parents in different communities.
d. limited experiences of teachers conducting research.
12. According to your text, which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of Action
research?
a. Action research is persuasive.
b. Action research is relevant.
c. Action research is intricate.
d. Action research is accessible.
13. Which of the following is an action research reconnaissance activity as presented in your
text?
a. Self-reflection
b. Pragmatic application
c. Taking action
d. Follow-through
• 14. Lyla feels she may not be as successful as she would like to be in conveying to
her students the connections between current Middle Eastern relationships and the
historical foundations of the region. She has identified this as an area of focus for her
action research study. She now is engaged in reconnaissance. Which of the following
activities is Lyla likely to engage in?
a. Persuasive activities
b. Descriptive activities
c. Application activities
d. Implementation activities
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• 15. Given what you know about types of research data, of the following, which is the
most likely data source for an action researcher?
a. Classroom test scores
b. Informal interview data
c. Survey data
d. Pre-existing achievement data
16. According to your text, which of the following statistics is the one most likely to be used
by an action researcher?
a. T-Test
b. Standard deviation
c. Correlation coefficient
d. ANOVA
• 17. Which of the following is the best example of action research?
a. As requested by the school board, Maurice examines motivation for second language
acquisition by fifth-grade students.
b. Samantha assesses her fifth grade learners’ second language acquisition during the
school year and issues each a grade.
c. Dana examines whether the way she is teaching second language vocabulary is
successful.
d. Nina tests whether there should be a second language program for middle school
children in the state.
• 18. Which of the following is the best example of an action research study topic for
Ron, a third grade teacher, to pursue?
a. The decrease in the schools’ scores on the third grade state-wide mathematics scores.
b. The effectiveness of a new creative writing program he’s implemented in his class.
c. The effects of the recent publication of third grade teachers’ qualifications by the local
media.
d. An examination of the nutritional needs of his students compared to the national
standards.
• 19. Eve wants to conduct a study that examines the benefits and drawbacks of using
thematic units to teach core concepts in her middle school. Of the following, who is the
most likely collaborator for Eve to work with on her study?
a. Kerry, her principal
b. Kim, her superintendent
c. Pat, a University researcher
d. Carol, another middle school teacher
• 20. Nina is engaged in the action research process for a study that considers the role
of oral reading during instruction. She is considering the educational values that she
holds. In which phase of the action research process is Nina currently engaged?
a. Identifying an area of focus
b. Data collection
c. Data analysis and interpretation
d. Action planning
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• 21. Van is a high school language arts teacher engaged in an action research study
that considers the role of dramatic play in his curriculum. He feels that dramatic play is
an important part of language arts instruction. He is currently considering why he
believes that dramatic play is so critical. In which phase of the action research process is
Van currently operating?
a. Identifying an area of focus
b. Data collection
c. Data analysis and interpretation
d. Action planning
• 22. Aggie is a paraprofessional conducting an action research project that examines
the role of structured cooperative seatwork in mathematics classes in her school. She is
sharing her findings with other teachers and paraprofessionals. Aggie is now likely
engaged in which phase of the action research?
a. Identifying an area of focus
b. Data collection
c. Data analysis and interpretation
d. Action planning
23. Which of the following is a question one engaged in descriptive activities might ask?
a. What educational values do I hold?
b. What is the historical context of my school?
c. What evidence do I have that this is a problem?
d. How can I make sense of these data?
• 24. Liz is a coach who wants to examine the ways in which her coaching addresses
sportsmanship. Which of the following is the most relevant data for Liz to consider?
a. National trends in sportsmanship among athletes.
b. Parents’ perceptions of her athletes’ sportsmanship.
c. Athlete’s behaviors on the field.
d. Data from a survey administered in the school.
25. According to your text, one of the main goals of action research is
a. informing educational policy for stakeholders.
b. determining district-wide curriculum for teachers.
c. educational change that enhances the lives of children.
d. data collection for the benefit of school personnel.
• 26. For teachers working in school districts, who best determines the action research
topics addressed in a school?
a. The district school board
b. Teachers conducting the research
c. Parents of children in the district
d. The children in the school district
• 27.-28 Tasa is a primary grade teacher in a rural school district. She and the other
teachers have found that after kindergarten there are large differences among the rising
first grade students. Some are reading and writing well and others are still ‘catching up’.
Tasa would like to investigate this further.
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• 27. Tasa’ s issue is appropriate for an action research study because
a. the study involves something Tasa would like to change.
b. the study should not cost too much to conduct.
c. administrators and policy makers will support the study.
d. there is a body of relevant related empirical research.
• 28. Tasa’s research study is best described as a(n) ____________ action research
study.
a. emancipatory
b. critical
c. practical
d. reflective
• 29.-30. Marcus, a new coach, is concerned with the ways in which summer football camp is
conducted. Potential athletes are required to come to mid-day sessions in August before
school starts. Marcus knows that there is little ‘building up’ to these sessions and that
many of the athletes are not in excellent condition nor are they used out exercising in the
heat in full equipment. Even though he is very cautious about the amount of water
breaks and rests he employs, he is concerned the athletes may get seriously injured
during football camp. Marcus decides to conduct an action research study on the issue.
• 29. Marcus starts to look into the history of football camp at the school and how the
camp developed over time. Marcus is involved in which phase of reconnaissance?
a. Application
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Self-reflection
• 30. Of the following, which is the next process Marcus will likely employ?
a. Marcus will next engage in fully describing the football camp situation he would like
to change.
b. Marcus will collect data to make decisions about changes to football camp.
c. Marcus will carry out his action planning and share his findings with school
administrators and parents.
d. Marcus will take action, and change football camp to protect the health of his athletes.
• 31. Which of the following is the most likely research team to conduct an action
research study on the role of simulated driving experiences in a school district’s driver
education curriculum?
a. The superintendent, a school administrator, and the driver’s education teachers.
b. A parent committee and the driver’s education teachers.
c. A committee of teachers, parents, and insurance agents.
d. The teachers who teach the course.
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• 32.-33 Naima is a speech and language specialist. She works with several students in a
large elementary school. She uses mixed age groupings to work with children with
specific needs. For example, she places all the students who are disfluent in one group.
This year the age discrepancies in her groups seem particularly large and this has made
her consider this as an area of focus for an action research study.
• 32. Given the dialectic action research spiral, the next step for Naima is
a. data collection.
b. developing an action plan
c. analyzing data.
d. interpreting data. .
• 33. By asking students how they feel about the mixed age groups, Naima may be
demonstrating several characteristics of action research. However, in so doing she is best
illustrating which of the following characteristics of action research?
a. Action research is democratic.
b. Action research is equitable.
c. Action research is liberating.
d. Action research is enhancing.
• 34. According to your text, which of the following is a key characteristic of action research?
a. Action research is intricate.
b. Action research is positivist.
c. Action research is persuasive.
d. Action research is objective.
• 35. Noah is a pack leader conducting an action research study on the structure of his
group’s scouting experiences. Which of the following data sources is Noah most likely to
consult within the context of his study.
a. State-wide demographics of the type of children enrolled in scouting in Noah’s state.
b. Data from an experimental study that addressed the effects of scouting on students’
self-esteem.
c. Correlational data regarding the relationship between scouting and later
environmental activism.
d. Data from semi-structured interviews he conducted with his group members and
their families.
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• 36.-38. Takota works in a school with racial and ethnic conflict among the students. He
questions whether implementing a peer tutoring program could reduce tensions and is
interested in conducting an action research project on the topic.
• 36. Takota’s research study is best described as a(n) ____________ action research
study.
a. emancipatory
b. critical
c. practical
d. reflective
• 37. Takota’s issue is appropriate for an action research study because
a. the study will appeal to the students and parents in the district.
b. the study involves something Takota is interested in exploring further.
c. the district administrators will support the study.
d. peer tutoring is widely accepted in school districts.
38. When Takota collects data he should consider collecting data that has which of the
following characteristics?
a. The data should be objective.
b. The data should be persuasive.
c. The data should be quantitative.
d. The data should be causal.
39. According to your text, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of practical action
research?
a. Teacher researchers have decision-making authority.
b. Teacher researchers will use a systematic approach for reflecting on practice.
c. Teacher researchers will anonymously collect data.
d. Teacher researchers will reflect on their practices.
40. Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of action research?
a. Action research is empirical.
b. Action research is accessible.
c. Action research is authoritative.
d. Action research is relevant.
41. The first step in the action research process is to
a. collect data.
b. indentify an area of focus.
c. develop an action plan.
d. analyze and interpret data.
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• 42. In an action research study conducted in an early childhood education setting,
Kemen is engaged in the action research process to address emerging number sense in his
classroom. He stated to his colleague, “I believe that manipulatives are a successful
mechanism to teach numeracy to young children. I believe it is motivating for them to
use toys as their numeracy skills emerge.” Kemen is best illustrating which aspect of the
dialectic action research spiral?
a. Developing an action plan
b. Collecting data
c. Analyzing and interpreting data
d. Indentifying an area of focus
• 43.-45. Lia is a middle school teacher concerned with social rejection of second language
learners at her school. She questions whether the practice of pulling children out of the
regular classroom for enhanced English instruction is contributing to this rejection and
decides to do an action research project to address the issue.
• 43. Lia’s research study is best described as a(n) ____________ action research
study.
a. emancipatory
b. reflective
c. practical
d. critical
• 44. Lia’s issue is appropriate for an action research study because
a. the study will provide insight into the national curriculum for second language
learners.
b. the study involves something that is within Lia’s area of focus.
c. community members will advocate for the study.
d. isolated instruction in English is common practice in schools.
• 45. According to typical practice and your text, the types of data sources Lia will
collect for her action research study will most likely include
a. national standardized Reading test scores administered by the district.
b. observations of student interactions during school hours.
c. surveys of parents’ preferences for the nature of English language instruction.
d. interviews of administrators’ opinions about second language learning.
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Chapter 20 Answers