Action Research

Action research is a research method that all teachers and educational professionals should use to research and develop ways of change based on the needs of each individual campus.  Education is continually changing and adapting through the use of action research. Action research is a guide to help professionals grow through research. Action research gets teachers involved in the process of change through active participation. Action research lets change happen through investigation and the trial and error process. Action research benefits teachers and their students simultaneously through teacher involvement and active participation in the process of inquiry and eventual change. Properly used, action research is never ending; educators should always be using action research to find new initiatives to improve their campus needs. In Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as an Action Researcher (2009), the author defines action research as "systemic, intentional study of one’s own professional practice” (p. 9). As educators we should be continually participating in active research in order to better our own "professional practice". Education should be constantly improving; action research provides the tools to help make that possible.
It is important to remember that my focus is on education, however action research can be used in any organization or business to foster improvement and change.