THE ACTION RESEARCH PLAN

The Action Research Plan

The Action Research Plan

Vision Of Your Doctoral Development Plan

The vision of this development plan is increase the knowledge and awareness to the selected field of study.

Doctoral Development Plan

In the preceding examples, the researchers would define what they mean by transfer of solutions to life's situations, an integrated problem-solving curriculum, transfer of problem-solving skills, the retention of math facts and functions, interactive participation in teen theater, student-led conferences, and parent and student satisfaction with the conferencing processes. If I am clear about what I am examining, it will be easy to determine how I will know it when I see it! That is, my data collection ideas will flow more freely and there will be no confusion when I communicate with my action research collaborators about my purpose. (McNiff, 2006)

Personal And Professional Goals

I would develop personal and professional goals which may help give a focus for my data collection plan and breathe life into the area-of-focus statement.

What is the effect of teen theater audience participation strategies on audience comprehension of issues?

How does the “Violence Improv” affect the audience's understanding of the issues of violence and harassment?

What is the effect of incorporating math manipulatives into problem-solving activities on student performance on open-ended problem-solving tests?

In what ways do students transfer problem-solving skills to other areas of mathematics?

How do students incorporate problem-solving skills into other curriculum areas?

How do students transfer problem-solving skills to their life outside of school?

Develop a Timeline

In a timeline, I will need to decide who will be doing what and when. Although not part of a timeline in the strictest sense, I can also use this stage to anticipate where and how my inquiry will take place. For example:

Phase 1 (August-October).

Identify area of focus, review related literature, develop research questions, reconnaissance.

Phase 2 (November-December).

Collect initial data. Analyze videotapes of lessons, do first interviews with children, administer first problem-solving probe.

Phase 3 (January-May).

Modify curriculum and instruction as necessary. Continue ongoing data collection. Schedule two team meetings to discuss early analysis of data.

Phase 4 (May-June).

Review statewide assessment test data and complete analysis of all data. Develop presentation for faculty. Schedule team meeting to discuss and plan action based on the findings of the study. Assign tasks to be completed prior to year 2 of the study. (Ogilvy, 2000)

Develop a Statement of Resources

Briefly describe what resources I will need to enact my plan. For example, to participate in the study of math problem-solving skills, the team determines that it will need teacher release time for planning the project, reviewing related literature, and completing other tasks; funds to purchase classroom sets of manipulatives; and a small budget for copying and printing curriculum materials. After all, there is no sense developing a study that investigates the impact of a new math problem-solving curriculum if I don't have the financial resources to purchase the curriculum.

Develop Data Collection Ideas

Give a preliminary statement of the kinds of data that I think will provide evidence for my reflections on the general idea I am ...