"Most, if not all, graduate students in education-and, in particular, inservice teachers seeking graduate degrees-are required to complete a course in educational research methods. The majority of these courses provide a broad overview of educational research methods, designs, and techniques. However, I would argue that graduate-level research methods courses taught to inservice teachers could be more suitable if the appropriate instructional materials were available to instructors and students, such that they focus on a classroom-based approach to research. Most research methods courses-and, therefore, their appropriate textbooks-follow the description that I offer above, in that they are "survey" courses (i.e., those that provide an overview of a variety of research methods). There are numerous texts that meet this description. In contrast, relatively fewer books focus specifically on action research as a methodology, and even fewer do so with the target audience of practicing educators in mind. The purpose of this book is to introduce educators to the process of conducting their own classroom-based or school-based action research. Detailed but practical information describing each step of the cyclical, iterative process is presented in a sequential manner. Educators are provided with an overview of traditional educational research prior to examining action research as a mechanism for designing and conducting their own applied research projects. The focus is not on the theoretical aspects of educational research but rather on the practical facets of conducting applied classroom and/or school research. As presented in this textbook, action research is not simply a means of conducting applied research. It is also a mechanism for engaging educators in reflective practice and customizing professional development opportunities to capitalize on the unique interests of individual educators or teams of educators"--
Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators, Seventh Edition by Craig A. Mertler introduces both beginning and experienced educators to the process of designing and conducting classroom-based action research. This practical text focuses on research methods and procedures that educators can use in their everyday instructional practices, classroom activities, and school settings.
Recenzijos
"This is by far the finest textbook on this topic available." -- Bill Morelan "Excellent. Well organized and easy to follow. Students can use this book to learn and professors can use it to set up their courses." -- Angelo J. Letizia
Part I What Is Action Research?
Chapter 1 Introduction to Action Research
What Is Action Research?
The Importance of Action Research
Applications of Action Research
Is This Really Research? Rigor in Action Research
Chapter 2 Overview of the Action Research Process
Stages and Steps in Action Research
The Planning Stage
The Acting Stage
The Developing Stage
The Reflecting Stage
A Brief Example
Part II How Do I Begin My Action Research Study?
Chapter 3 Planning for Action Research and Reviewing Related Literature
Identifying a Topic for Research
Gathering Preliminary Information
Reviewing the Related Literature
Chapter 4 Developing a Research Plan
Research Questions
Basic Research Designs
Ethical Considerations in Your Research
Getting Organized for Your Research
Part III What Do I Do With All These Data?
Chapter 5 Collecting Data
Qualitative Data Collection Techniques
Quantitative Data Collection Techniques
Notes About Ethics and Data Collection
A Final Note About Organization and Alignment
Chapter 6 Analyzing Data
Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques
Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques
A Note About Mixed-Methods Data Analysis
Reporting the Results of Data Analysis
Part IV Ive Got Results! . . . Now What?
Chapter 7 Next Steps and Future Cycles: Developing an Action Plan
Developing Action Plans
Levels of Action Plans
Action Planning: A Time for Reflection
Chapter 8 Writing an Action Research Report
Conventions of Academic Writing
A Word About Ethics When Writing Research Reports
Practical Guidelines for Writing
Chapter 9 Sharing and Reflecting
Communicating the Results of Action Research
Reflecting on the Action Research Process
Appendix A. Sample Action Research Report: Differentiated Spelling: Using
Small Group Instruction
Appendix B. Sample Action Research Report: Implementing Personal Devices in
Math
Appendix C. Action Research Developmental Templates
Glossary
References
Index
Craig A. Mertler is currently an Associate Professor of Action Research and Quantitative Methods at Barry University in Miami, Florida. He began his career as a high school biology teacher. He has been an educator for 39 years29 of those in higher education at Bowling Green State University, the University of West Georgia, Lynn University, Arizona State University, and Barry University, and 12 years as an administrator (department chair, doctoral program director, and education dean). Over his career, he has taught courses focused on the application of action research to promote educator empowerment, school improvement, and job-embedded professional development, as well as classroom assessment, research methods, and statistical analyses.
He has served as the research methodology expert and/or chair on more than 140 doctoral dissertations and masters theses. He is the author of 30 books, 9 invited book chapters, and 25 refereed journal articles. He has also presented more than 40 research papers at professional meetings around the country, as well as internationally.
He conducts workshops for in-service educational professionals (at all levels) on classroom-based action research and on the topics of classroom assessment and assessment literacy, as well as data-driven educational decision making. His primary research and consulting interests include classroom-based action research, data-driven educational decision making, professional learning communities, and classroom teachers assessment literacy. In his leisure time, he enjoys traveling with his family to the beach and sometimes writing a little fiction. Dr. Mertler can be reached at craig.mertler@gmail.com for consulting, professional development, and speaking engagements. Additionally, you can visit his website at www.craigmertler.com.
