Improving Schools Through Action Research

This compact, clear and user-friendly text provides everything a pre-service or in-service teacher needs to know to follow the research cycle and conduct an action research project. This text emphasizes reflective processes used in planning and conducting action research studies, data analysis techniques (quantitative and qualitative), and displaying and explaining results. It provides specific information needed to complete each step of the action research cycle with chapter activities that help the student/reader conduct projects focused on school improvement. Each activity includes a research paper component that helps students create a research paper as they complete the activities in each chapter. This text has more emphasis on reflective and reflexive activities than other text and is geared toward adults/professionals who will use these activites to conduct action research for educational change and school improvement.

For courses in Action Research This package includes the Enhanced Pearson eText and bound book. A brief, user-friendly, solid look at the action research cycle and the knowledge to work through each step. In this book, educators learn what they need to know about the action research cycle and get practical help for working through each step of the cycle-from choosing a topic and generating research questions to analyzing data and reporting results and conclusions. In a clear, concise, user-friendly approach, the author helps readers through the entire process with specific, practical information that incorporates some of the latest online and professional resources, a more detailed explanation of how to analyze and interpret qualitative data, and instructions on formatting the research paper using the latest APA guidelines. From reviews of the text: "I've used the Hendricks text for 5 semesters and have modified the course each semester based on a deeper appreciation for the content the text offers. . . . . The Hendricks text provides an excellent organization and sequence in implementing the process of action research. . . . I see the text as a very strong component to my course and to any action research courses offered. . . . It helps students to produce a thorough and valuable end product." --Jill Miels, Ball State University "Key strengths are the examples and sample narratives; . . . projects threaded through the text provide a unifying connection of applications of the process for teachers. . . . [T]he last chapter provides much needed guidance for dissemination of research study results through presentations and publications." --Reese H. Todd, Texas Tech University "The strength of the text is accessibility and clarity. The text takes students through the steps of creating an action research project in clear and concise language. Hendricks does an excellent job of providing an appropriate balance of support and challenge for student teachers/action researchers. Great text for anyone who wants to learn more about constructing their own knowledge and improving schools through action research." --Jason Colombino, Boston College Lynch School of Education Invigorate learning with the Enhanced Pearson eText The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content with embedded videos and tutorials. The Enhanced Pearson eText is also available without a print version. Instructors, visit pearsonhighered.com/etextbooks/ted to register for your digital examination copy. Students, register for or purchase your eText at pearsonhighered.com/etextbooks/ted.

Craig Mertler’s Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators introduces practicing educators to the process of conducting classroom-based action research. Practical and comprehensive, the book focuses on research methods and procedures that educators can use in their everyday practice. This Fifth Edition adds enhanced coverage of rigor and ethics in action research, means of establishing quality of both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as strengthened pedagogical features. New material includes discussions of social justice advocacy as an application of action research and the inclusion of abstracts in research reports.

This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book. Cher Hendricks’ Action Research for School Improvement: A Reflective Practice Approach, Third Edition , is a brief, accessible, and practical text that prepares educators to conduct their own action research projects. The third edition provides the information needed to complete each step of the action research cycle. Chapter activities include a research paper component that helps readers create a research paper as they complete the activities. Additional activities have been added in this edition to help educators navigate through each step of the action research process—from choosing a topic and generating research questions through data analysis and reporting results and conclusions. Other features of the book include detailed strategies for (1) reviewing and synthesizing the literature and writing a literature review, (2) collecting, triangulating, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data (including how to graphically display results), (3) drawing conclusions from results, and (4) writing in APA (6th edition) style. Numerous Internet resources—including links to action research networks, professional organizations, and journals—are provided. Throughout the text, the book incorporates numerous pedagogical devices such as Exercises and Cases to help readers practically explore topics. Examples are provided throughout the book to document the ways teachers, principals, counselors, administrators, and support staff can improve their practice through action research. Among the changes and additions to the third edition, the text now presents a sharper focus on reflection in the action research cycle--including new reflection activities in every chapter. The book also places a greater emphasis on working with a critical friend or colleague throughout the action research process and incorporates updated and new online and professional resources as well as a more detailed explanation of how to analyze and interpret qualitative data, and instructions on formatting the research paper using the latest APA Guidelines.

Written for pre-and in-service educators, this Third Edition of Craig A. Mertler's Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators introduces the process of conducting one's own classroom- or school-based action research in conjunction with everyday instructional practices and activities. The text provides educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to design research studies, conduct research, and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders and interested parties.

Provides an explanation of what action research is, presents a rationale for engaging in action research, and describes the process of action research for improving teaching and learning in classrooms at all levels.

You don't need a tweed jacket to be a researcher—in thousands of schools across North America, practising teachers conduct studies on best practices, alternative approaches, and effective learning strategies. Classroom teachers have experiences and opportunities unavailable to researchers in a university setting, and action research—site-based, teacher-conducted research—can have a valuable impact on the educational community. Yet many teachers don't see their work as real research, and many other teachers have great ideas for research projects but don't know where to begin. For these teachers, Engaging in Action Research demystifies the world of educational research and provides support, guidance, and encouragement. From creating a research plan to reporting findings, this book provides step-by-step instructions to help teachers conduct research projects in the classroom, using strategies that work. Get ready to investigate, analyze, and share!