Action Research

Part I ¿ What Is Action Research?
Chapter 1 ¿ Introduction to Action Research
What Is Action Research?
The Importance of Action Research
Applications of Action Research
Is This Really Research? Rigor in Action Research
Chapter 2 ¿ Overview of the Action Research Process
Stages and Steps in Action Research
The Planning Stage
The Acting Stage
The Developing Stage
The Reflecting Stage
A Brief Example
Part II ¿ How Do I Begin My Action Research Study?
Chapter 3 ¿ Planning for Action Research and Reviewing Related Literature
Identifying a Topic for Research
Gathering Preliminary Information
Reviewing the Related Literature
Chapter 4 ¿ Developing a Research Plan
Research Questions
Basic Research Designs
Ethical Considerations in Your Research
Getting Organized for Your Research
Part III ¿ What Do I Do With All These Data?
Chapter 5 ¿ Collecting Data
Qualitative Data Collection Techniques
Quantitative Data Collection Techniques
Notes About Ethics and Data Collection
A Final Note About Organization and Alignment
Chapter 6 ¿ Analyzing Data
Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques
Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques
A Note About Mixed-Methods Data Analysis
Reporting the Results of Data Analysis
Part IV ¿ I've Got Results! . . . Now What?
Chapter 7 ¿ Next Steps and Future Cycles: Developing an Action Plan
Developing Action Plans
Levels of Action Plans
Action Planning: A Time for Reflection
Chapter 8 ¿ Writing an Action Research Report
Conventions of Academic Writing
A Word About Ethics When Writing Research Reports
Practical Guidelines for Writing
Chapter 9 ¿ Sharing and Reflecting
Communicating the Results of Action Research
Reflecting on the Action Research Process
Appendix A. Sample Action Research Report: Differentiated Spelling: Using Small Group Instruction
Appendix B. Sample Action Research Report: Implementing Personal Devices in Math
Appendix C. Action Research Developmental Templates
Glossary
References
Index

Craig A. Mertler is currently a Professor of Action Research and Quantitative Methods at Barry University in Miami, Florida. He began his career as a high school biology teacher. He has been an educator for 39 years-29 of those in higher education at Bowling Green State University, the University of West Georgia, Lynn University, Arizona State University, and Barry University, and 12 years as an administrator (department chair, doctoral program director, and education dean). Over his career, he has taught courses focused on the application of action research to promote educator empowerment, school improvement, and job-embedded professional development, as well as classroom assessment, research methods, and statistical analyses.

He has served as the research methodology expert and/or chair on more than 140 doctoral dissertations and master's theses. He is the author of 30 books, 9 invited book chapters, and 25 refereed journal articles. He has also presented more than 40 research papers at professional meetings around the country, as well as internationally.

He conducts workshops for in-service educational professionals (at all levels) on classroom-based action research and on the topics of classroom assessment and assessment literacy, as well as data-driven educational decision making. His primary research and consulting interests include classroom-based action research, data-driven educational decision making, professional learning communities, and classroom teachers' assessment literacy. In his leisure time, he enjoys traveling with his family to the beach and sometimes writing a little fiction. Dr. Mertler can be reached at craig.mertler@gmail.com for consulting, professional development, and speaking engagements. Additionally, you can visit his website at www.craigmertler.com.