Action Research: The Challenges Of Changing And Researching Practice

Action Research: The Challenges Of Changing And Researching Practice PDF Author: Townsend, Andrew
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)
ISBN: 0335244432
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 154

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Book Description
How can practice be understood and developed? What part can action research play in that process? What principles lie at the heart of action research and how can they be adopted? How can action research bring about democratic and collaborative changes to practice? These and other questions are answered in this book which offers both a practical step-by-step guide to action research and an examination of the underlying principles and challenges. Action research as an approach aims to generate knowledge and achieve principled change. This book explores the overarching features and a variety of models of action research to provide advice, guidance, and support on its conduct and to identify challenges that may arise, with a focus on understanding and changing practice as a result. Throughout the book examples of action research illustrate each of the stages of action research so that you can see how action research has been conducted and applied in practice, and how this relates to the principles and practices of action research discussed in the book. Conducting action research can present a number of challenges. This book includes reflection points on the challenges posed, as well as advice on how these challenges may be addressed in order to achieve embedded and sustainable change. "The book to recommend to your students to help them understand how action research has developed as a form of inquiry and support them to plan their own studies. By clearly setting out the principles that underpin the process, and by linking to examples of how others have carried out research across a range of professions, it goes beyond being a basic introductory text and provides them with multiple routes into this complex and challenging area. Whether you are a novice or experienced researcher this book will provide you with new ways of thinking and challenge your conceptions about the theory and practice of action research. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical and practical resources it will help you position yourself amongst the various influences that have shaped the area. The clearly laid out chapters provide you with a step by step process to designing an action research project. At each stage it provides links to key constructs and examples that will help you clarify your thinking and support as you implement your study." Professor Mark Hadfield, Director, Centre for Developmental and Applied Research in Education, University of Wolverhampton, UK "This book fully embraces the 'glorious and challenging diversity of action research' and is essential reading for anyone interested in undertaking any form of educational research. Written by a passionate exponent of action research, this book provides an excellent introduction into the topic and develops a number of key issues about the nature and context of action research. The author provides a detailed discussion of the current debate and goes on to deal with the practical challenges involved in the development of action research projects. Well written, in a challenging and accessible style, Action Research makes a major contribution to the improvement of teaching and learning that lies at the heart of action research." Ian Abbott, Director, Institute of Education, University of Warwick, UK "This refreshing new book will prove invaluable to teachers embarking on Masters-level Action Research studies. By drawing widely on scholarship to illuminate the practical challenges and problematic issues arising for practitioner-researchers, this book operates as a guide, a resource and also as a stimulating companion through the research process; it encourages readers to design and to refine action research approaches that meet the needs of their learners and the wider community. It will help teachers to redefine their practices and to confidently establish themselves as principled andprofessional teacher-researchers." Dr Andy Convery, University of Sunderland, UK "This book is a rich and useful text both for those wanting to explore the practice of action research and the key ideas underpinning it as an approach. Andrew Townsend brings much experience as a researcher, thinker and developer of action research in educational settings to this book." Professor Colleen McLaughlin, University of Cambridge (moving to Sussex) "I have recommended this book for practitioners on the action research programme we carry out. It is much more than a how to guide; it raises the fundamental questions about the nature of action research. One of its key strengths is that it discusses the tensions within action research in a critical manner and invites readers to reach their own conclusions. It succeeds admirably in its aim of appealing to a broad readership, including those new to action research or those wanting to know more about it." Mick Hammond, University of Warwick, UK

Action Research: The Challenges Of Changing And Researching Practice

Action Research: The Challenges Of Changing And Researching Practice PDF Author: Townsend, Andrew
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)
ISBN: 0335244432
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 154

Get Book Here

Book Description
How can practice be understood and developed? What part can action research play in that process? What principles lie at the heart of action research and how can they be adopted? How can action research bring about democratic and collaborative changes to practice? These and other questions are answered in this book which offers both a practical step-by-step guide to action research and an examination of the underlying principles and challenges. Action research as an approach aims to generate knowledge and achieve principled change. This book explores the overarching features and a variety of models of action research to provide advice, guidance, and support on its conduct and to identify challenges that may arise, with a focus on understanding and changing practice as a result. Throughout the book examples of action research illustrate each of the stages of action research so that you can see how action research has been conducted and applied in practice, and how this relates to the principles and practices of action research discussed in the book. Conducting action research can present a number of challenges. This book includes reflection points on the challenges posed, as well as advice on how these challenges may be addressed in order to achieve embedded and sustainable change. "The book to recommend to your students to help them understand how action research has developed as a form of inquiry and support them to plan their own studies. By clearly setting out the principles that underpin the process, and by linking to examples of how others have carried out research across a range of professions, it goes beyond being a basic introductory text and provides them with multiple routes into this complex and challenging area. Whether you are a novice or experienced researcher this book will provide you with new ways of thinking and challenge your conceptions about the theory and practice of action research. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical and practical resources it will help you position yourself amongst the various influences that have shaped the area. The clearly laid out chapters provide you with a step by step process to designing an action research project. At each stage it provides links to key constructs and examples that will help you clarify your thinking and support as you implement your study." Professor Mark Hadfield, Director, Centre for Developmental and Applied Research in Education, University of Wolverhampton, UK "This book fully embraces the 'glorious and challenging diversity of action research' and is essential reading for anyone interested in undertaking any form of educational research. Written by a passionate exponent of action research, this book provides an excellent introduction into the topic and develops a number of key issues about the nature and context of action research. The author provides a detailed discussion of the current debate and goes on to deal with the practical challenges involved in the development of action research projects. Well written, in a challenging and accessible style, Action Research makes a major contribution to the improvement of teaching and learning that lies at the heart of action research." Ian Abbott, Director, Institute of Education, University of Warwick, UK "This refreshing new book will prove invaluable to teachers embarking on Masters-level Action Research studies. By drawing widely on scholarship to illuminate the practical challenges and problematic issues arising for practitioner-researchers, this book operates as a guide, a resource and also as a stimulating companion through the research process; it encourages readers to design and to refine action research approaches that meet the needs of their learners and the wider community. It will help teachers to redefine their practices and to confidently establish themselves as principled andprofessional teacher-researchers." Dr Andy Convery, University of Sunderland, UK "This book is a rich and useful text both for those wanting to explore the practice of action research and the key ideas underpinning it as an approach. Andrew Townsend brings much experience as a researcher, thinker and developer of action research in educational settings to this book." Professor Colleen McLaughlin, University of Cambridge (moving to Sussex) "I have recommended this book for practitioners on the action research programme we carry out. It is much more than a how to guide; it raises the fundamental questions about the nature of action research. One of its key strengths is that it discusses the tensions within action research in a critical manner and invites readers to reach their own conclusions. It succeeds admirably in its aim of appealing to a broad readership, including those new to action research or those wanting to know more about it." Mick Hammond, University of Warwick, UK

Action Research: The Challenges of Understanding and Changing Practice

Action Research: The Challenges of Understanding and Changing Practice PDF Author: Andrew Townsend
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)
ISBN: 0335244440
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 154

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Book Description
How can practice be understood and developed? What part can action research play in that process? What principles lie at the heart of action research and how can they be adopted? How can action research bring about democratic and collaborative changes to practice? These and other questions are answered in this book which offers both a practical step-by-step guide to action research and an examination of the underlying principles and challenges. Action research as an approach aims to generate knowledge and achieve principled change. This book explores the overarching features and a variety of models of action research to provide advice, guidance, and support on its conduct and to identify challenges that may arise, with a focus on understanding and changing practice as a result. Throughout the book examples of action research illustrate each of the stages of action research so that you can see how action research has been conducted and applied in practice, and how this relates to the principles and practices of action research discussed in the book. Conducting action research can present a number of challenges. This book includes reflection points on the challenges posed, as well as advice on how these challenges may be addressed in order to achieve embedded and sustainable change. “The book to recommend to your students to help them understand how action research has developed as a form of inquiry and support them to plan their own studies.” Professor Mark Hadfield, Director, Centre for Developmental and Applied Research in Education, University of Wolverhampton, UK “This book fully embraces the ‘glorious and challenging diversity of action research’ and is essential reading for anyone interested in undertaking any form of educational research.” Ian Abbott, Director, Institute of Education, University of Warwick, UK “This refreshing new book will prove invaluable to teachers embarking on Masters-level Action Research studies. It will help teachers to redefine their practices and to confidently establish themselves as principled andprofessional teacher-researchers.” Dr Andy Convery, University of Sunderland, UK “This book is a rich and useful text both for those wanting to explore the practice of action research and the key ideas underpinning it as an approach. Andrew Townsend brings much experience as a researcher, thinker and developer of action research in educational settings to this book.” Professor Colleen McLaughlin, University of Cambridge (moving to Sussex) “I have recommended this book for practitioners on the action research programme we carry out. It is much more than a how to guide; it raises the fundamental questions about the nature of action research” Mick Hammond, University of Warwick, UK

Promoting Change through Action Research

Promoting Change through Action Research PDF Author: Franz Rauch
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9462098034
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
“Bringing a different world into existence – Action Research as a trigger for innovations” was the overarching theme and vision of the international CARN Conference 2011 in Vienna. The chapters in this book are drawn mainly from conference contributions. The authors share practical knowledge which has arisen from their work, and reflect on development processes in schools, in teacher education and professional development, social work, social peda¬gogy, health care and community development. This book offers what some critics believe has been missing in recent action research literature, namely first person accounts of action researchers who endeavour to change working conditions and social relations in their environment through the conduct of action research. This book is also distinguished by assembling contributions from people who are linking action research to a broad diversity of differing contexts, and who are exploring topics or issues across various applications of action research.

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Action Research

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Action Research PDF Author: David Coghlan
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1473907322
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 901

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Book Description
Action research is a term used to describe a family of related approaches that integrate theory and action with a goal of addressing important organizational, community, and social issues together with those who experience them. It focuses on the creation of areas for collaborative learning and the design, enactment and evaluation of liberating actions through combining action and research, reflection and action in an ongoing cycle of cogenerative knowledge. While the roots of these methodologies go back to the 1940s, there has been a dramatic increase in research output and adoption in university curricula over the past decade. This is now an area of high popularity among academics and researchers from various fields—especially business and organization studies, education, health care, nursing, development studies, and social and community work. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Action Research brings together the many strands of action research and addresses the interplay between these disciplines by presenting a state-of-the-art overview and comprehensive breakdown of the key tenets and methods of action research as well as detailing the work of key theorists and contributors to action research.

Teacher Action Research

Teacher Action Research PDF Author: Gerald J. Pine
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1452278741
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 417

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Book Description
"This is a wonderful book with deep insight into the relationship between teachers′ action and result of student learning. It discusses from different angles impact of action research on student learning in the classroom. Writing samples provided at the back are wonderful examples." —Kejing Liu, Shawnee State University Teacher Action Research: Building Knowledge Democracies focuses on helping schools build knowledge democracies through a process of action research in which teachers, students, and parents collaborate in conducting participatory and caring inquiry in the classroom, school, and community. Author Gerald J. Pine examines historical origins, the rationale for practice-based research, related theoretical and philosophical perspectives, and action research as a paradigm rather than a method. Key Features Discusses how to build a school research culture through collaborative teacher research Delineates the role of the professional development school as a venue for constructing a knowledge democracy Focuses on how teacher action research can empower the active and ongoing inclusion of nontraditional voices (those of students and parents) in the research process Includes chapters addressing the concrete practices of observation, reflection, dialogue, writing, and the conduct of action research, as well as examples of teacher action research studies

Action Research

Action Research PDF Author: Jean McNiff
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134600844
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
Since the first edition of this established text was published in 1988, action research has gained ground as a popular method amongst educational researchers, and in particular for practising teachers doing higher-level courses. In this new edition Jean McNiff provides updates on methodological discussions and includes new sections of case study material and information on supporting action research. The book raises issues about how action research is theorised, whether it is seen as a spectator discipline or as a real life practice, and how practitioners position themselves within the debate. It discusses the importance for educators of understanding their own work and showing how their educative influence can lead to the development of good orders in formal and informal learning settings and in the wider community. This second edition comes at a time when, after years of debate over what counts as action research, it is now considered an acceptable and useful part of mainstream research practice.

Handbook of Research on Heritage Management and Preservation

Handbook of Research on Heritage Management and Preservation PDF Author: Ngulube, Patrick
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1522531386
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 533

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Book Description
Archives, museums, and libraries are pivotal to the management and preservation of any society's heritage. Heritage assets should be systematically managed by putting in place proper policies, maintenance procedures, security and risks measures, and retrieval and preservation plans. The Handbook of Research on Heritage Management and Preservation is a critical scholarly resource that examines different aspects of heritage management and preservation ranging from theories that underline the field, areas of convergence and divergence in the field, infrastructure and the policy framework that governs the field, and the influence of the changing landscape on practice. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics, such as community involvement, records legislation, and collection development, this book is geared towards academicians, researchers, and students seeking current research on heritage management and preservation.

Action Research in a Relational Perspective

Action Research in a Relational Perspective PDF Author: Lone Hersted
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000300781
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 354

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Book Description
Action Research in a Relational Perspective brings together an expert international academic team to present theoretical perspectives on social constructionist understandings of action research, as well as illustrative examples of action research practices within a wide range of sectors such as organizational learning, leadership development, education, mental health and health care. Building bridges between theory and practice, this book explores themes of dialogue, relationships, tensions, power and ethics in action research projects. It examines both the great potential, and the challenges and dilemmas, of action research. It aims to inspire readers with ideas and a practical "how-to" understanding of doing action research from a social constructionist standpoint. Action Research in a Relational Perspective will appeal to theoreticians and practitioners, senior researchers and PhD students, students, consultants, educators and managers who are interested in action research as an approach to organizational learning, team development, learning among professionals and citizens, or community development.

Pedagogy, Education, and Praxis in Critical Times

Pedagogy, Education, and Praxis in Critical Times PDF Author: Kathleen Mahon
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811569266
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
This book critically explores urgent questions that researchers, educators, and policy makers need to consider and address in order to better our understanding and capacity to transform education. Focusing on areas that underpin the empirical, theoretical, and strategic research of the Pedagogy, Education and Praxis (PEP) International Research Network, it discusses the following topics: the nature of educational praxis; research approaches that facilitate praxis and praxis development; changing cultural, social, political and material conditions affecting the educational practices of teachers; and how good professional practice in teaching, leading, and professional learning are understood and experienced. Presenting findings emerging from the Pedagogy, Education and Praxis research, the book raises new questions and offers new ways of thinking about the identified issues and themes in light of current educational concerns and the prevalence of neoliberal conditions being experienced in educational settings around the globe. It provides supporting evidence and illustrative examples to help readers understand important concepts, situations, and concerns, and brings together intellectual and cultural-historical traditions that, when considered in relation to each other, open up critical opportunities and ideas orienting readers towards future educational transformation.

Research, Actionable Knowledge, and Social Change

Research, Actionable Knowledge, and Social Change PDF Author: Edward P. St. John
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000980510
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
A professional text written for social science researchers and practitioners, Research, Actionable Knowledge and Social Change provides strategies and frameworks for using social science research to engage in critical social and educational problem solving. Combining the best practices of critical analysis and traditional research methods, this professional text offers guidance for using the Action Inquiry Model (AIM), a transformative model that explains how to successfully conduct action-oriented research in a multitude of professional service organizations. The aim of the text is to encourage a new generation of research-based partnerships reforms that promote equity and access for underserved populations. Topics discussed include: The historical precedents for universities engaged in social change The limitations of current social science theory and methods The critical-empirical approach to social research The issues relating to social justice within the policy decision process The use of social research to integrate an emphasis of social justice into economic and policy decision making Research, Actionable Knowledge and Social Change does not propose different foundations for social research, but rather argues that it is necessary to reconsider how to work with theory and research methods to inform change. This text can also be used by students enrolled in graduate and Ed.D/Ph.D Higher Education Leadership programs and graduate programs across professional fields including K-12, public administration, sociology, health, cultural studies, organizational development and organizational theory. It further offers students guidance for research design and dissertation research.