Traditional Research Vs Action Research
Traditional research and action research are two different approaches to education research. Traditional research is typically used to develop new knowledge and theories, while action research is used to improve practice.
Traditional research is characterized by the following:
● It is hypothesis driven.
● It relies on quantitative methods.
● It aims to produce findings that can be generalized to a larger population.
Action research is characterized by the following:
● It is cyclical, with researchers repeating a cycle of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting.
● It is collaborative, involving practitioners and researchers working together.
● It is context-specific, meaning that it is tailored to the needs of the individual or organization.
● It is focused on improving practice.
Action Research
Action research is a type of research that seeks to improve practice through systematic inquiry. It is a cyclical process that involves planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. Action research is often collaborative, involving practitioners and researchers working together to identify and solve problems.
Action research can be used in a variety of settings, including education, healthcare, social work, and business. It is particularly well-suited for addressing complex problems that have no easy solutions.
Here is a simplified example of an action research cycle:
1. Identify a problem. The first step is to identify a problem or area for improvement. This can be done through observation, discussion with stakeholders, or review of data.
2. Plan an intervention. Once a problem has been identified, the researcher and practitioners will develop a plan to address it. The intervention should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.
3. Implement the intervention. The next step is to implement the intervention. This may involve making changes to practice, developing new resources, or conducting training.
4. Observe and collect data. While the intervention is being implemented, it is important to observe and collect data on its effects. This data can be collected through surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observation.
5. Analyze the data and reflect. Once the intervention has been implemented for a period, the researcher and practitioners will analyze the data to assess its effects. They will also reflect on the process and identify areas for improvement.
6. Revise the plan and repeat the cycle. If necessary, the researcher and practitioners will revise the intervention plan and repeat the cycle.
Action research is an iterative process, meaning that the cycle is repeated until the problem is solved or the desired improvement is achieved.
Here are some of the benefits of action research:
● It is a collaborative process that involves practitioners and researchers working together to solve problems.
● It is a context-specific approach that can be tailored to the needs of the individual or organization.
● It is an action-oriented approach that is focused on improving practice.
● It is a cyclical process that allows for continuous learning and improvement.
Action research can be a valuable tool for improving practice in a variety of settings. It is a particularly good fit for addressing complex problems that have no easy solutions.
Qualitative and quantitative research methods are two distinct approaches to gathering and analyzing data. Each method serves a different purpose and is suited for different types of research questions.
Qualitative Research Method
Qualitative research focuses on understanding and interpreting the meaning of complex phenomena. It emphasizes in-depth exploration, detailed descriptions, and the context of the research setting. Qualitative data is typically non-numerical and may include text, images, audio, or video recordings
Common Qualitative Data Collection Methods:
Interviews
Focus groups.
Observations/journaling
Document analysis
Case studies
Quantitative Research Method
Quantitative research focuses on measuring and analyzing numerical data to test hypotheses, identify relationships, and draw generalizations. It emphasizes objectivity, precision, and statistical analysis. Quantitative data is typically numerical and may include surveys, questionnaires, or experiments.
Common Quantitative Data Collection Methods:
Surveys
Questionnaires
Experiments
Statistical analysis of existing data
Complementary Nature of Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Qualitative and quantitative research methods are not mutually exclusive; they can be used in conjunction to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a research topic. Qualitative research can help to contextualize quantitative findings, while quantitative research can provide a more rigorous framework for interpreting qualitative data.
A hybrid research method, also known as mixed methods research, combines qualitative and quantitative research approaches to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a research topic. It involves collecting and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data to provide a more holistic and nuanced understanding of the research problem.
I have employed action research and its methods during both courses learned to inquire into the effectiveness of using math video games to improve or increase math performance for seventh graders.
The link below will open my final research report, which is still a work in progress. .
Increase Math Performance for a Seventh Grade Math Support Class using Math Video Games
Reflection
I have learned how to conduct action research to help me improve my practice in my math support classroom. I found both methods used, quantitative and qualitative, useful as they address the same question or hypothesis from two different angles. One is data driven and easier to represent with analytical methods such as statistical measures, while the second methos is a qualitative measure which looks at attitudes and interest, engagement, and interest in the researched topic, from the perspective of the researcher, the educator and the learner, the student.
For any educator, action research is a valuable tool to employ to improve practice. As a future instructional designer, I am looking forward to using action research on a different scale, to support administrators and decision makers in education with research employed to assess different parameters important in their decision making.
Mertler A. Craig ( 2020). Action Research -Improving Schools and Empowering Educators. ( 6th edition) SAGE Publications Inc.