Which topics are right for Action Research in an education context? How do you go about planning a project, collecting and analysing your data? What′s the best way to present your research findings to parents, colleagues or funding bodies?
Whether you are a busy teacher doing research in your classroom, an undergraduate starting your research project, or a Masters level or education doctorate student writing up your dissertation, this step-by-step guide takes you through every stage involved in carrying out Action Research.
In this brand new edition, you will find additional guidance on:
- philosophical underpinnings of Action Research
- the challenges of being an insider researcher
- searching and analysing literature from the internet
- children′s participation and children′s rights in action research projects in educational settings
- validity and authenticity in action research
- a new chapter on writing for publication
- an action research planning sheet.
This book draws on Valsa Koshy′s extensive experience of supervising researchers at all levels, and includes examples of Action Research carried out by practitioners across a range of topics and age groups. Case studies include UK and international examples, allowing you to reflect on multiple perspectives of Action Research in education.
Those new to Action Research, and those looking for a straightforward explanation of the methods involved, will find this book invaluable.
Valsa Koshy is Professor of Education and Director of a Research and Development Centre at Brunel University.
Table of Contents:
What Is Action Research?
Getting Started
Reviewing the Literature
Planning Action
Gathering Data
Analyzing Data and Generating Evidence
Writing up Your Action Research
Publishing Your Action Research and Planning the Next Steps
About the Author :
Valsa Koshy is Professor of Education and Director of a Research and Development Centre at Brunel University.
Review :
′This second edition of Valsa Koshy′s book is highly readable and of genuine relevance to teachers and student teachers undertaking action research. There are many texts on action research , but this one appeals because of its clarity and sense of purpose...The book is valuable as a textbook for teachers either engaged in enquiry-based postgraduate study, or as a practical guide to those beginning to explore the potential of action research for developing practice′ -
Learning and Teaching Update
′The book is an extremely useful guide to setting-up and carrying out action research [offering] the reader a number of case studies drawn from both UK and international contexts, theoretical views and practical advice for the new researcher...the addition in this second edition of a dedicated chapter on ′how to write for publication′ adds great value for the practitioner reader and student alike...Essential reading if you are interested in this field of practitioner research′ -
Management in Education
′This book is an exceptionably clear and lucid guide to Action Research. Aimed at practitioners and educational students, from both school and post compulsory sectors, it provides straightforward guidance about what Action Research is and how to carry it out. Clearly written and using many examples and case studies from the author′s own teaching it is hard not to be motivated by this book and the possibilities it contains for Action Research in education′ -
Yvon Appelby, Senior Lecturer,
University of Central Lancashire
This book is a useful guide if you are embarking on action research for the first time. With many illustrative examples and relevant websites, the text takes the student through the research process from defining action research to publishing action research findings.
This book is designed for new researchers in action research and/or teachers/practitioners. It is not weighed down with academic literature or terminology and is well positioned to help undergraduate students. I would however suggest that it would serve only as an approachable guide for post-graduate and doctoral level students.
The ′walk through′ offered by the book is helpful for novices and it follows the action research process well. The movement of the text from review of literature, planning, data gathering, analysis and evidence generation through to writing up is useful. However, the book is not substantial enough when it comes to answering the question "is action research real research. All in all a useful book but not an academic text for discovering the theories of and behind action research.
This is a well written yet accessible guide to action research suitable for the undergraduate market. Examples and case studies are particularly useful. The additional information in this edition around children′s rights is welcome.
This is a very useful text for anyone considering using action research. It is practical and full of useful tips.
I organise a teacher researcher group. The group is already using this book as text for its regular meetings, to drive Action Research that we carry out. We are finding it most useful.
Students were conducting an action research project throughout the course and this book walked them through the process nicely.
This is a very clear text - offering advice and structure for teachers undertaking a course in practioner inquiry. This is a key field for us - and the clarity in detail and structure of this text makes it very suitable for practitioner and teachers looking into their own practice.
(Happy to add more if you want ..!!)
Though this book is written quite clearly and offers many wonderful examples, the topic does not really fit our teaching focus. I am sure, it can give practicioners very good and helpful hints on how to do research in their classrooms. However, we try to teach our teacher students the basics of empirical working. Based on these, I am sure, the book can be a good addition. Therefore, we recommend this book as additional literature.
This book by Koshy is well written and is the ′fools guide′ to action research. The introductory chapter could have delved in greater depth into the philosophical perspective that guides action research as an approach, albeit at a basic level. However the straight forward direction and signposting of chapters was heplful
This is an excellent clear text book which outlines the principles of action research. The book is written to meet the needs of both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This text book is particularly useful for level 6 learners undertaking the independent study and post graduate students studying research methodology.
A great easy to read text to help you with your action research project. This has included examples of topics, data collection, and even provides a simple, understandable explanation about how to go about coding your research. A good basic all-round action research guide.
A very informative book, but not as relevant as I thought for the course and the specific project they have to undertake
An outstanding book - clear explanations , clear content and highly enjoyable to read. Now on the reading list and the must buys for some students
This text will be a useful addition to the Reading List for our Year 2 students. In their Student Enquiry course they begin to look at Action Research and produce a presentation to their peers. This presentation is centred around Action Research in the Early Years related to an aspect of Identity and Diversity. The book is a useful step by step guide to the processes involved in conducting your first piece of Action Research. It is well supported by a number of concrete examples of action research projects.
This will be recommended as supplimentary reading
Book not appropriate for my course.
This is an extremely clear and comprehensive guide to doing action research. It provides guidance for all phases of action research from ′Geatting Started′ to ′Publishing′. A very useful reference text.
the examples in this make it useful as a practical guide for students. I work with schools and this might be part of a school professional development library
This is clear and well structured - its organisation closely matches the approach we like our students to take in their final dissertation. I liked the use of diagrams to support the text, also the reflective accounts by and about teachers′ research. I would have liked an expaned glossary to cover some terms not dealt with at length in the book but which students come across in their study, e.g. paradigm, grounded theory.
gives clear breakdown to the role of educational leadership. evaluates the theories, formal, collgial, political models, and draws on the comaprison of leadership models and how it applies to schools and coleges. ending with the using of the theories to improve practice. Excellent for those new to educational leadership and management
This book covers the end of year 2 pgce FE course end assisngment, students found it easy to navigate, extremely helpful and informative.
Preferred the Clive Opie Doing Educational Research book as an introductory book into this subject matter. That is not to say the book is not good - clear guidance, nicely broken down, extremely accessible. A personal preference only.
This is a valauble text for those using action research methodology and for others to understand the principles of action research. I have added it to a recommended reading list as a general principle but it will be essential for any student doing action research.
An easy read for individual study module.
A key text for the Action Research module on the Certificate in Education course. It is clearly written and presented with useful case studies and summaries. The students particularly appreciate the step-by-step approach.
Helpful as good for additional background reading. Some good pointers
good guide book on action research
The tone of this text is so accesible, the breadth and depth perfect for those undertaking a succinct piece of practical action research on our courses. Highly recommended
writing style is very informative and individual studies add clarity would be nice to reference the post 16 years in education
For action research students who are mainly practising teachers a good overview
Truly helpful book with hands on examples. Excellent!
A good book with hands on suggestions. Very helpful
A useful accessible text which supports Foundation Degree students understanding of the value of research, with a clear view to improving the practice of themselves and others. Useful examples given.
Students find this a very informative text for their first educational reserach projects.
Looking at getting students to use action research as part of their second module (looking at assessmnet) in order to improve assessment in their curriculum area - this guide will help embed the necessary skills without being overly academic in tone.
A very well written book which explains the processes of action research in a clear way. I felt the use of case-studies helped to put action research into context. I felt keen and motivated after reading this book and I will recommend it to my PGCE students.
The book has a useful glossary, which is helpful for the reader. Guidance on further reading is included along with website addresses linking to resources.
\
Clear examples and diagrams are used; these make it easier for the reader to understand the issues and strategies being discussed. Bullet points are used to list and draw the reader’s attention to key points.
\
This is a useful book for those undertaking action research projects as part of their studies.
This remains one of my favourite texts for Action Research. The students find it very readable and the presentation is clear and concise.
A great practical guide showing how to carry out an action research inquiry. The book is written in a simple straight forward way that is easily understood and clearly laid out. Very suitable for under graduates who want to carry out small or large inquiries.
The most comprehensive yet accessible publication on conducting action research. the bookmis recommended as essential for the course.
The book is an advisory text for students who are interested in education at undergraduate level. At Post graduate level in the Education courses it will be useful in guiding students regarding Action Research in Education
A very helpul book which provides clear support for students undertaking research at all levels.
