Action Research Format

What should be included

The following is a guideline for writing an Action Research Project. Note that this Report Format is not (necessarily) in the same sequence as the Identify-Plan-Do-Study-Act-Reflect cycle. A mind map of relevant items that should be in your report is shown in the adjacent diagram.

Front Matter

Cover Page

Your report must have a Cover page showing the research title, the main author, submission information, date of submission, etc..

Table of Contents

The table of contents details the content headers and page numbers.

Front Matter

  • The from matter comprises of sections like acknowledgement, dedication, etc..

  • What should be included or excluded depends on your academic institution and whether your report is intended for your institution or publication.

Introduction

Background to Study

  • Discuss what prompted you to undertake this research.

  • How did the idea originate?

Problem Statement

  • Explain concisely what the problem is.

  • This is usually a one paragraph statement.

Research Questions

  • Based on the Problem Statement, raise relevant research questions.

Research Objectives

  • Clearly describe the purpose of the study and its significance.

  • Describe how answering the question might improve your practice.

Literature Review

  • Identify the main aspects of your problem statement.

  • Introduce the main theories that allow you to discuss the questions you raised in the Research Questions.

  • Elaborate the concepts related to the issues you will discuss.

  • Summarize the state of the art and present the literature review mindful of the research questions you raised.

Methodology

Plan

Research Design

  • Construct suitable methods that will allow you to seek solutions to your Research Questions.

  • Detail and justify the methods you put forward.

  • Anticipate likely situations as much as possible.

Data Collection Tools

  • Describe the methods used.

  • Include questionnaires, interviews, etc. in appendix.

  • Data analysis procedures must be treated alongside the data collection tools.

Context

  • Clearly describe the chosen setting (classroom, school, etc.). Include all pertinent information available.

  • Situate the question in the context. How does the question relate to the context?

  • What is it about the context that relates to the question?

  • Describe all pertinent participants: Who were they? Why were they involved?

Do

Data Collection

  • What sort of data did you collect?

  • How did you collect the data?

  • Address why they are appropriate.

  • Describe resources needed.

  • Present a timeline.

Study

Data Analysis

  • Describe analysis procedures.

  • Discuss why these procedures are appropriate.

Findings

  • What happened? What did you find? Describe in detail.

  • You can use narrative, quotes from the data sources, samples of student work, tables or charts to display your data and provide evidence for your findings.

  • You should relate these findings back to your research questions.

Act

  • Recommended action you will take based on your findings.

  • Who is responsible?

  • Timeline.

  • Resources and materials.

  • Modifications/Re-Analysis. Discuss possible alternatives, if appropriate.

Reflect

  • What were the outcomes of your study?

  • Discuss your own interpretation of what happened and why.

  • What successes or difficulties did you have in carrying out this action research?

  • On hindsight, what would you have done differently?

  • Address what you have learned from this study.

Conclusions

  • Summarize the question studied and the major issues involved.

  • Address the twists and turns experienced between original identified question and results that were produced.

  • Identify the limitations of the study.

  • Discuss implications for other teachers’ practice and educational policy.

  • Describe recommendations for your future study.

End Matter

References

  • Works cited must be referenced in the Action Research Report.

  • References must conform to the required reference style e.g. APA, Chicago, MLA, Turabian, Harvard, etc.

Appendices

Any ancillary materials should be included in the Appendices.

  • Questionnaires

  • Diary

  • Journal

Presentation

The length of an action research report depends on your level of study but is typically in the range of 8,000-12,000 words for a postgraduate diploma. The Action Research project report is intended to be a professional manuscript that reflects your scholarly effort. You are required to submit your own original work. Where other material is used, you must state the sources from which the information is derived. Any act of plagiarism or intellectual dishonesty could result in a rejection. If you are unclear about plagiarism or any other breach of academic integrity, check with your institution.