Research is not Action Research

When I saw the course title research I was immediately intimidated.  I just knew for the next five weeks I would be spending hours on the computer and in the library researching about things that didn't apply to me or my school.  My dated theory about research was quickly eased after reading the first chapter of Leading with Passion and Knowledge. Action research differs from traditional educational research in many ways, but the one I find most evident is the in-house collection of data that is involved.  Traditional research was done by reading articles and collecting data from other studies and reporting based on that.  Dana (2009) states many benefits to action based research, the one I find most beneficial is that practitioners play a part in the research process.  I agree with Dana (2009) that by participating in the research practitioners are more likely to facilitate change based on the knowledge they generate. "Administrator inquiry refers to the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what she/he learns as a result of the inquiry." (Dana, N. F. (2009) Leading with Passion and Knowledge. California: Corwin) After reading more about action research I realized that action research is an ongoing study principals and committees use to analyze issues on their campus.  Action research can be anything on campus a principal feels is with investigating more.  In other words soothing that he/she feels can be improved upon.  It is easy to identify something as a problem but can be challenging to identify a fix for that problem.  An action research could help identify problems and solutions. 

I believe that as a future administrator I will be able to use action research to improve my campus! It is also a great way to have meaningful professional development; at the beginning of the year you could have a question/action research topic that teachers focus on for the year. At the end of the year or at semester teacher could meet to discuss their finding and come up with, what our school calls a “prescription” or solution to the problem.