Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher

Known for its practical, step-by-step guidance for teachers on how to do research in classrooms.  Born of the author's own experience working with teachers and principals, this book provides a step-by-step outline of how to “do” action research―backed by the most extensive theory and research coverage on the market today. The author guides future educators through the action research process via numerous concrete illustrations and a wealth of on-line resources; positioning it as a fundamental component of teaching, alongside curriculum development, assessment, and classroom management.  Key changes in the revision include: a new chapter on ethics (Chapter 5), expanded discussion of literature review, expanded discussion of data collection techniques using quantitative data collection techniques, expanded coverage of data analysis and interpretation techniques, and expanded coverage of descriptive statistics in Appendix B.  Accessible, comprehensive, scholastically sound―this is a “hands-on” guide for anyone who aspires to be an exceptional educator.

 

FEATURES:

• NEW! Expanded coverage of "Ethics"--Includes a new chapter devoted to ethics (Chapter 5).
• NEW! Revised and increased discussion of quantitative data techniques--Found throughout Chapter 3.
• NEW! Expanded discussion on the use of style manuals (e.g., APA Manual of Style)-- Readers can find this important, applicable information in the newly added Chapter 8.
• NEW! Increased discussion of descriptive statistics and action research-- Includes other ways to calculate standard deviation, not just by using SPSS (Appendix B).
• NEW! Rearranged order of chapters pertaining to the writing of and sharing of action research-- Presents a clearer path to understanding.
  • Now in the new edition readers will learn about "Writing Up Action Research" (Chapter 8) before the "Sharing, Critiquing, and Celebrating Action Research" (Chapter 9). 
• Coverage of how to visually display qualitative data in appendix.

  • Provides basic usable tools for presenting and interpreting qualitative data.

• Explanation of the four-step action research process–Accompanied by various models and discussion of each step's impact on results.

  • Guides, step-by-step, through conducting action research–identifying focus area, collecting data, analyzing/interpreting data, and action planning.

• Explanation of the “3 E's” of data collection–Experiencing, enquiring, and examining.

  • Ensures teachers understand the crucial importance of thorough data collection to the success of any research.

• Case study of Curtis Elementary School –Presented in Appendix I–follows the text's action research process as it happens in an example school.

Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, Third Edition

Geoffrey E. Mills

 

This text provides a step-by-step, how-to approach of "doing" action research--backed by the most extensive theory and research coverage on the market today. The author guides future and current educators through the action research process with numerous concrete illustrations and a wealth of on-line resources, positioning action research as a fundamental component of teaching alongside curriculum development, assessment, and classroom management.

 

Key changes in the new edition of this market-leading text are:

 

More Balanced Coverage of Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection Techniques

• NEW! Increased coverage of the most frequently used quantitative data collection techniques in action research, including teacher-made tests, standardized tests, and report cards, is included in Chapter 3, "Data Collection Techniques."

 

More Balanced Coverage of How to Analyze Both Quantitative and Qualitative Data

• Chapter 6, "Data Analysis and Interpretation," and Appendix B, "Descriptive Statistics and Action Research," guide students through the data analysis process and provide techniques, coding guidelines, and examples for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data.
• NEW! An expanded discussion of descriptive statistics in Appendix B includes step-by-step guidance on how to calculate standard deviation by hand with the help of a calculator rather than using SPSS.

 

Rearranged Order of Chapters Pertaining to Writing and Sharing of Action Research

• NEW! "Writing Up Action Research" (Chapter 8) precedes, "Sharing, Critiquing, and Celebrating Action Research" (Chapter 9) to present a more logical and clearer path to understanding.

 

Separate Chapter Completely Devoted to Ethics

• NEW! Chapter 5 provides an expanded discussion of ethical issues, principles, and guidelines.

 

To view the website that accompanies this text, please go to http://www.prenhall.com/mills.