Using Action
Research for
Data Driven
Decision
Making
Overview
Identify the basis and philosophy of
Action Research
Understand how the results of Action
Research can be used to make data
driven decisions
Discuss potential Action Research
topics within the school/classroom
setting
What causes us to change practice
in our classrooms, schools, and
district?
How are those decisions made?
• Think of a recent decision you made that
altered a classroom procedure/practice
• Think of several decisions that have
been made at the building, district, and
State levels that have impacted what is
happening in your classroom
Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!
Action Research IS:
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Open-ended
Purposeful
Interactive
Collaborative
Relevant
Evolving
Intuitive
Practical
Action
Research?
Action Research is not
research on other people.
Action
Research is
not a pilot
program.
What is Action Research?
--Systematic Discovery-Action Research is a process in
which participants examine their
own educational practice,
systematically and carefully, using
the techniques of research.
Action Research
Action Research is a fancy way of
saying let’s study what’s
happening at our school and
decide how to make it a better
place.
Emily Calhoun (1994)
Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!
Three Approaches to Action
Research
1. Classroom
2. School
3. District
Action Research
Five Phases (+1)
Problem Identification
Review of the Literature
Plan of Action
Data Collection
Analysis of Data
Plan for Future Action
Problem Identification
What Is a Good Action Research
Question?
•Significant
•Manageable
•Contextual
•Clearly Stated
•Open-Ended
•Self-Reflective
Reflective Practice: PLCs
If transformational change is to occur
in our schools that has long term
benefits for our students, it is critical
to have teachers engage in reflective
dialogue that causes them to look
thoughtfully and critically at their
teaching practices.
Reflective Practice: PLCs
The path to change in the classroom lies within
and through the learning communities which
– generate knowledge
– craft new norms of practice
– and sustain participants in their efforts to
reflect,
examine,
experiment,
and change.
McLaughlin, M. & Talbert, J. (1993) Center for Research on the Context of Secondary School
Teaching
Action Research
Five Phases (+1)
Review of the Literature
Plan of Action
Data Collection
Sources of Information
• What informs our school as to the
effects of our instructional program
on students?
• What data do we use as a faculty?
Data Collection
Checklists
Portfolios
Surveys
Interactions
Discussions
Work Samples
Data Collection
Criteria for Selection of Data Techniques
• Is it one that you can do?
– Are there physical barriers?
– Who will collect the data and how will it be
displayed/shared?
• Is time an issue?
– How soon will the technique yield information?
– Can you afford the time to gather, record, and reflect
using this technique?
• Is it appropriate?
– Will a different technique provide more appropriate
data for your question?
Action Research
Five Phases (+1)
Analysis of Data
Plan for Future Action
Analysis of Data
Sometimes what you
expect to find is not
what your data
shows!
The Secret of Data Analysis
• The secret of data analysis is
pattern recognition. Peter Holly (1992)
• The guiding principle behind the
data collection process is that the
information collected should be
compelling enough to convince any
skeptic.
Plan for Future Action
•Let the data determine your next
move!
•Use the data to influence others
•Begin a new AR cycle!
What are Some Effects of
Teacher Research Projects?
• Increased sharing and collaboration across departments,
disciplines, and grade levels
• Increased dialogue about instructional issues and student
learning
• Enhanced communication between teachers and students
• Improved performance of students
• Revision of practice based on new knowledge about
teaching and learning
• Teacher-designed and teacher-initiated staff development
• Development of priorities for school-wide planning
assessment efforts
• Contributions to the profession’s body of knowledge about
teaching and learning
Action Research Resources
www.usd261.com
~Docushare~
It is teachers who, in the end, will
change the world of the school by
understanding it.