TSL 3113 Action Research 1 - Methodology An Introduction to Research Methods in Education Education
Educational Research Characteristics of Action Research Approaches of Research Ethics in Research
Educational Research
Educational Research Educational research has been designed to investigate practices
in order to fundamentally improve the way we learn, know and describe our world.
The overall aim of educational research is to provide teachers, clinicians, managers and learners with systematically obtained information that helps to improve the quality of the learning process.
Educational Research The difference between doing educational research and other
healthcare research is that often the immediate effects of the intervention are seen and assessed on the educators or their students, rather than on the processes and outcomes of patients.
Therefore, wherever possible, we should think about how to measure the effects of an education intervention on the students.
Action Research Action research is a form of investigation designed for use by
teachers to attempt to solve problems and improve professional practices in their own classrooms . It involves systematic
observations and data collection which can be then used by the practitioner-researcher in reflection, decision-making and the development of more effective classroom strategies. - Parsons and Brown (2002)
Action Research Action research is a natural part of teaching. Teacher Teacherss are continually observing students, collecting data and changing practices to improve student learning and the classroom and school environment. Action research provides a framework that
guides the energies of teachers toward a better understanding of
why, when, and how students become better learners. - Christine Miller (2007)
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)
Action Research Action research is the term which describes descri bes the integration of
action (implementing (implementing a plan) with research (developing an understanding of the effectiveness of this implementation). The original concept is sometimes attributed to Kurt Lewin
(1890 – 1947). 1947).
Action Research
(change) +
(investigation)
When something goes wrong with your lessons, what do you do? If you think about what you are doing and make a change, you are doing Action Research!!!
Aims & purposes 1. To contribu contribute te toward towardss whole schoo schooll improv improvement ement:: to encourage and assist teachers
to conduct action research as a means of effecting positive social and educational change in their immediate environments and spheres of influence. 2. To effect impr improveme ovement nt in the the personal/ personal/ profess professional ional practi practice ce of teachers: teachers: the
process of conducting action research has been shown shown to have positive consequences for the professional and personal development of the participants, as they learn to become more proactive and take responsibility responsibility for effecting change. 3. To provide provide opportuni opportunities ties for Faculty Faculty to become become involved involved in researc research h projects: projects: the
expertise of various staff members can be solicited for specific projects identified by teachers.
Characteristics of Action Research
Characteristics of AR: 1. Action Action resear researche chers rs take take action. action. 2. AR always always involve involvess two two goals. goals. 3. AR is is inte intera ract ctiv ive. e. 4. AR aims aims at developin developing g holisti holisticc understa understandi nding. ng. 5. AR is is funda fundame menta ntally lly abou aboutt chang change. e. 6. AR requires requires an understandin understanding g of the ethical framework framework.. 7. AR can can includ includee all types types of data data gather gathering ing.. 8. AR require requiress a breadth breadth of pre-un pre-under dersta standin nding. g. 9. AR shou should ld be be condu conducted cted in real real time. time. 10.The AR paradigm requires its own quality criteria.
1. Action researchers take action.
Action researchers are not merely observing something happening; they are actively working at making it happen.
2. AR always involves two goals.
Goals: Solve the problem and contribute to science.
The action researchers engage in both making the action happen and stand back from the action and reflect on it as it
happens in order to contribute theory to the body of knowledge.
3. AR is interactive.
It requires cooperation between the researchers and the client
personnel, and continuous continuous adjustment adjustment to new information information and new event.
As it is a series of unfolding and unpredictable events, events, the actors need to work together and be able to adapt to the contingencies of the unfolding story.
4. AR aims at developing holistic understanding.
Action researchers need to have a broad view of how the system works and be able to move between formal structural and technical and informal people subsystems.
It requires an ability to work with dynamic complexity, complexity, which describes how a system is complex because of multiple causes and effects.
5. AR is fundamentally about change.
AR is applicable to the understanding, planning and implementation of change in groups, organizations and communities.
Hence, knowledge and skills in the dynamics d ynamics of organizational change are necessary. necessary.
6. AR requires an understanding of the ethical framework.
In AR, AR, ethics involves authentic relationships between the action researcher and the members of the client system syst em as to how
they understand the process and take significant actions.
7. AR can include all types of data gathering methods.
AR does not preclude the use of data gathering methods from
traditional research. Qualitative and quantitative tools, such as interviews and surveys are commonly used.
What is important in AR is that the planning and use of these tools be well thought out with the members of the organization and clearly integrated into the AR process.
8. AR requires a breadth of pre-understanding.
It refers to the knowledge the action researcher brings to the research project.
9. AR should be conducted in real time.
While AR is alive case study being written as it unfolds, it can also take the form of a traditional case study written in retrospect, when the written case is used as an intervention into the organization in the present.
In such such a situation situation the case performs the function of a „learning history‟ and is used us ed as a intervention to promote reflection and learning in the organization.
10. The AR paradigm requires its own quality criteria.
AR should not be judged by the criteria of positive science, but rather within the criteria of its own terms.
Approaches in Research
Qualitative Research approach Quantitative
Qualitative approach: •
The approach usually associated with the social s ocial constructivist paradigm which emphasises the socially constructed nature of reality.
•
It is about recording, analysing and attempting to uncover the deeper meaning and significance of human behaviour and experience, including contradictory beliefs, behaviours and emotions.
Qualitative approach: •
It can describe events, persons and so forth scientifically without the use of numerical data.
•
It is harder, more stressful and more time-consuming than other types.
Qualitative approach: •
Concerned with collecting and analysing information in as many forms.
•
Qualitative research is empirical research where the data are not in the form of numbers. (Punch, 1998: 4)
Qualitative approach: •
•
Qualitative implies a direct concern with experience as it is `lived' or `felt' or `undergone' `und ergone' ... Qualitative research, research, then, has the aim of understanding experience as nearly as possible as its participants feel it or live it. Ely et al (Sherman and Webb ,1988)
Quantitative approach: •
Involves collecting and converting data into numerical form so that statistical calculations can be made and conclusions drawn.
•
Quantitative approaches approaches have been seen as more scientific and `objective'.
Quantitative approach: •
Quantitative research consists of those studies in which the data concerned can be analysed in terms of numbers.
•
Quantitative research is based more directly on its original ori ginal plans
and its results are more readily analysed and interpreted.
Quantitative approach: •
Concerned with the collection and analysis of data in numeric form. It tends to emphasize relatively large-scale and representative
sets of data, and is often, falsely in our view, presented or perceived as being about the gathering of `facts'. `facts '.
•
Quantitative research is empirical research where the data are in the form of numbers.
Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitave Approaches to Educational Research.
Qualitative Approach
Scientific method
Quantitative Approach
-Inductive or “bottom up”
-Deductive or “top down”
-Generate new hypotheses and theory
-Test hypothesis and theory with data.
from data collected.
Most common research objectives
Focus
-Description
-Description
-Exploration
-Explanation
-Discovery
-Prediction
-Wide and deep angle lenses
-Narrow-angle lens
-Examine the breath and depth of
-Testing specific hypotheses
phenomenon to learn more about them.
Nature of study
- Study behaviour in its natural
- Study behaviour under artificial, controlled
environment or context.
conditions.
Qualitative Approach
Form of data collected
Quantitative Approach
-Collect narrative data using semi or
-Collect numeric data using structured and
unstructured instruments (open-
validated instruments (close-ended survey
ended surveys, interviews,
items, rating scales, measurable behaviours)
observation, focus groups, documents) -Words, images, themes, and
Nature of data
categories -Holistically identify patterns,
Data analysis
Results
-Numeric variables
-Identify statistical relationships
categories categories and themes - Particularistic findings.
-Generalizable findings.
-In-depth understanding of
-General understanding of respondent’s
respondent’s viewpoint.
viewpoint.
-Respondent framed results
-Researcher framed results
Qualitative Approach
Form of final report
Quantitative Approach
-Narrative report including contextual
-Statistical report including correlations,
description, categories, categories, themes, and
comparisons of means, and statistically
supporting respondent quotes.
significant findings.
Adapted from: Johnson & Christensen. (2004). Educational Research: Quantitative, qualitative and mixes approaches, 2nd ed. Boston: Ally: Bacon.
Research Ethics
Definition of research ethics: Research ethics provide guidelines for the responsible conducts in research. In addition, research ethics educates and monitor the researchers conducting research to ensure high ethical standards.
Authorship
Plagiarism
Peer review
Research with human subjects
RESEARCH ETHICS ISSUES
Conflicts of interest
Research with animals
Research misconduct
Data management
Authorship Authorship is the process of deciding whose names belong on a research paper. paper. In many cases, research evolves from collaboration and
assistance between experts and colleagues. Some Some of this assistance will require acknowledgement and some will require joint authorship.
Each person listed as an author on an article should have significantly contributed to both the research and writing.
Authorship “Can I be a coco-author?”
“Sure! But only if you…
1. Contributed substantially to the research, AND… 2. Wrote rote or revi revised sed all all or par parts ts of the the man manusc uscri ript pt,, AND… 3. Approved the final version of the entire article.”
Plagiarism Plagiarism is the act of passing off somebody else‟s else‟s ideas, thoughts, pictures, theories, words or stories as your own.
If a researcher plagiarizes the work of others, they are bringing into question the integrity, integrity, ethics and trustworthiness of the sum total of his or her research.
Plagiarism Types of plagiarism: i.
Inten Intenti tion onal ally ly take take a pas passag sagee wor word-f d-for or-w -wor ord, d, put put it it in in the their ir own work, and do not properly credit the original author.
ii. Uninte Unintenti ntion onall ally y para paraphr phrase ased d and and fragm fragment ented ed texts texts the author has pieced together from several works without properly citing the original sources.
Plagiarism The Indiana University provides the following advice to avoid plagiarism. A researcher preparing a written manuscript should cite the original source if he or she:
i.
Quotes another person‟s person‟s actual words, either oral or written. written .
ii.
Paraphrases another person‟s person‟s words, either oral or written.
iii. Uses another person‟s idea, opinion or theory. iv. Borrows Borrows facts, facts, statistics, statistics, or other other illustrativ illustrativee material, material, unless unless the inform information ation is common knowledge.
Plagiarism To avoid unintentional or accidental plagiarizing plagia rizing of another person’s work , use
the following tips from the Northwestern University website:
i.
Cite all idea ideass and and info informa rmatio tion n that that is not your your own own and/ and/ or is is not not commo common n knowledge.
ii.
Always use quotation marks if you y ou are using someone else‟s words. words.
iii. At the beginni beginning ng of a paraphr paraphrased ased section section,, show that that what what comes next next is someone someone else‟s else‟s original idea (example: these t hese bullet points start out by saying the information originated with Northwestern University). iv. At the the end of the the paraph paraphrased rased section, section, place place the the proper proper citation. citation.
Peer review Peer review is the process in which the author submits a written manuscript or article to a journal for publication pub lication and the journal editors distributes the article to experts working in the same, or similar, similar, scientific discipline. The process involves the following: 1.
Revi Review ewer erss and and edit editor orss read read and and eva evalu luat atee the the arti articl cle. e.
2.
Review Reviewers ers submi submitt their their review reviewss back back to to the the journ journal al editor editor..
3.
The journa journall edito editorr takes takes all comme comments nts,, includ including ing their their own, own, and communicates communicates this feedback to the original author. author.
Peer review The peer review process seldom proceeds in a straight line.
The entire process may involve several rounds of
communication between the editor, the reviewers, and the original author before an article is fully ready for publication.
Conflicts of interest Conflict of interest arise when a person‟ person ‟s (or an organization‟s) organization‟s) obligations to a particular research project conflict with their personal interests or obligations. A researcher should attempt to identify potential conflicts in order to confront those issues before they have a chance to do harm or damage. If exist, then the objectivity of the
researcher and the integrity of the research results can be questioned by any person throughout the research review process.
Data management Data management references three issues: i.
The The ethi ethica call and and trut truthf hful ul coll collec ecti tion on of rel relia iabl blee dat data. a.
ii. ii.
The The owne owners rshi hip p and and res respo pons nsib ibil ilit ity y of of coll collec ecte ted d dat data. a.
iii. iii.
Retain Retaining ing data data and and sharin sharing g access access to to collec collected ted data data with with coll colleag eagues ues and the public.
A clear, clear, responsible, ethical sound, s ound, and carefully outlined
for data management is required at the beginning of the research to prevent all manners of conflicts and inappropriate research methods.
Research misconduct Research misconduct is the process of identifying and reporting unethical or unsound research.
Its components are as follow:
Fabrication is Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
Falsification is Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment or process, or changing or omitting data or results.
Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person‟s person‟s idea, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
Research misconduct Any person who knows that research is being conducted unethically should raise his or her concerns to the appropriate authorities, whether that person is involved in that research or not.
Research Research with human subject The issues concerning research with human subjects involves topics ranging from voluntary participation parti cipation in research to fair selection and justice. This variety makes the topics surrounding research ethics with human subjects a challenging but important charge.
Respect for persons – persons – Informed Informed consent
Respect for persons – persons – Privacy Privacy and confidentiality
Respect for persons Informed Consent –
Exist to ensure that all research involving human subjects allows for voluntary participation by subjects who understand what participation entails. Informed consent means that people approached and asked to participate in a research study must: i.
Know Know what what they they are are get getti ting ng invo involv lved ed with with befo before re they they comm commit it..
ii. ii.
Not Not be coer coerce ced d or or man manip ipul ulat ated ed in any any way way to to part partic icip ipat ate. e.
iii. iii.
Must Must conse consent nt to to parti particip cipate ate in the the proj project ect as a subj subject ect..
Respect for persons Informed Consent –
The Belmont Report of 1979 outlines the three requirements for informed consent: 1.
The information disclosed to research participants must include, “research procedure,
their purposes, risks and anticipated benefits, alternative procedures, and a statement offering the opportunity to ask questions and to withdraw at any time from the research.”
2.
Comprehensi nsion – researcher researcher must adapt information to be understandable to every participants.
3. Volun olunta tarrines inesss – inform inform consent can be b e neither coerced nor improperly pressured from any participant.
Informed consent mechanism
Dear Participant (parent, principal, guardian),
We are undertaking an action research project to study my own practice as a lecturer(s) in the TESL degree course at IPGKBL Kuching Sarawak Malaysia 2012. This ethics statement is to assure you that we will observe good ethical practice throughout the research.
This means that:
Written ethical permission will be secured before the research commences;
Confidentiality will be observed at all times, and no names or identifying personal features will be revealed during the study;
Participants will be kept informed at all times and will have access to the research report before it is published;
We will report only that which is in the public domain and in accord with Malaysian Law;
All participants have the right to withdraw from the research at anytime and all data relating to them will be destroyed.
Your signature_________________ Contact information: IPGKBL Campus Kuching English Department, Jabatan Bahasa Dr. Jeff Hawkins:
[email protected]
Respect for persons Privacy and Confidentiality –
People have a right to protect pro tect themselves, and information gathered during research participation could harm a person by violating their right to keep information about themselves private.
Research with animals Animals play a significant role in research. (esp. in medical and pharmaceutical research)
To ensure that research with animals is conducted ethically and responsibly, responsibly, the government has created regulations involving the use and care of animals involved in teaching, testing and research.
Research with animals In order to prevent the mistreatment of animals, The Animal Welfare Act exists in order: “(1) To ensure that animals intended for for use in research facilities or for exhibition purposes or for use as pets are provided human care and treatment; (2) to assure the human hu man treatment of animals during transportation in commerce; and (3) to protect the owners of animals from the theft of their animals by preventing the sale use of animals which have been stolen.”
or
QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
1. Why Why is is itit imp import ortan antt for for te teac ache hers rs to do educational research? 2. Wh What at mus mustt we do do to avoi avoidd plag plagia iarirism sm in in writ writin ingg a research article? 3. What What is is res resea earc rchh ethi ethics cs an andd why why is it important? 4. Wh What at are are the the imp import ortan ance ce of of infor informed med cons consent ent?? 5. Wh Whyy act actio ionn res resea earc rchh is is rega regarde rdedd as as an an interactive process?
references
David Coghlan & Teresa Teresa Brannick. (2005: 11-13). 11-13). Doing Action Action Research In Your Own Words. London: SAGE Publications.
Glenda Nugent, et al. (2012: 4). A Practical Guide to Action Research for Literacy Educators. Washington: Global Operations Unit. University of Minnesota. (2003: 8-35). A Guide to Research Ethics. University of Minnesota: Center for Bioethics. Alzheimer Europe. (n.d). The Four Main Approaches. Assessed on 2013, 23rd December, at http://www.alzheimer europe.org/Research/Understanding-dement europe.org/Research/U nderstanding-dementia-research/T ia-research/Types-of ypes-of research/The-four-main-approaches Christina Hughes. (n.d). Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Social Research. Assessed Assessed on 2013, 23 rd December, at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ http://www2.warwic k.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/staff/a sociology/staff/academicstaff/ cademicstaff/chu chu ghes/hughesc_index/teachingresearchprocess/quantitativequalitativ e/quantitativequalitative/
THANK YOU…
