1

Based on the definitions of action research

provided, state at least five characteristics of
action research
Some Characteristics of Action Research:

1.There is a problem
2.There is an intervening action
3.Reflection is a LARGE component
4.Very personal
5.Involves ones job or work place
6.Idea is to improve work practices not to prove
some theory
7.Collaboration is encouraged
8.Findings not generalisable
9.Systematic
10.Learning more of the problem is an outcome
11.Continous, spiral 4
Why the name "Action Research"?
There are two parts: one is Action, the other Research.
We can emphasize the Action part or the Research
part, or both.

It is also research on an action (intervening solution)

we take to determine if the action is viable

Action research is research so that we can take

FURTHER action;

An action research should have:

(i) a problem
(ii) an intervening action

In your opinion which is the most difficult step in the

action research cycle?
5
Instructions for Activity 2

Based on the characteristics of action research

determine if the following are action researches
Arrange the placards and arrows provided to
represent the steps of the action research
process
 Developing a strategy : the Identifying an issue and
Developing a strategy : the Identifying an issue and
intervention developing a research
intervention developing a research
question
question

Learning more about the issue.

Learning more about the issue.
Taking action and sharing the
Taking action and sharing the
results
results
Gathering and analysing data
Gathering and analysing data
for the intervention
for the intervention

THE ACTION RESEARCH PROCESS

REFLECTION

Source: CITE, John Hopkins

University
 I would like to improve
THE ACTION RESEARCH CYCLE I am perplexed by .
How can I communicate
more effectively in my
Identifying
Identifyingan
anissue
issue classrooms?
and What evidence
developing a is there that the
and developing a
problem
research exists? What are the
question
Did my suggested research question
possible reasons for the
action work? problem? Any previous study
Now what? done? What does theory say? more about the
Taking Learning
Takingaction
actionand
and REFLECTION Learning more about the
issue
sharing
sharingthe
theresults
results issue
How will I gather and
analyse the data? What are the possible solutions?
Will I use mean? %? What do I want to do?
How will I report my What intervening action will I
data? and
Gathering Tables? take?
Developing
Gathering and Developingaa
analysing How willfor my action plan look
analysingdata
datafor
forthe
the strategy
strategy forthe
the
intervention like?
study:
intervention study:the
the
intervention
intervention
11
Read
Readthe
thearticle
articleprovided
providedand
and
answer
answerthe
thequestions
questionsininthe
theactivity
activity
sheet
sheet
Action research is a tool to
reflect on one's practice so as
to make improvement

14
Action research is a tool to reflect on one's
practice so as to make improvement.

Action research is a tool to help a practitioner

reflect on his daily practice in order to improve
it

Characteristics of an action research include:

(i) There must be an issue/problem
(ii) There must be an action to solve the
problem
(iii) It involves a lot of reflection
(iv) Its focus is to improve practice
(v) Collaboration is encouraged