Action research, or administrative inquiry is the process of a principal intentionally studying their own practices and behaviors in an effort to use the results to promote change. This process is systematic, reflective, usually collaborative and engages people in the design, data collection, and interpretation of data surrounding a question.
This type of research encourages stakeholder participation in the inquiry process to develop questions, investigate solutions, and then facilitate change based on their experiences and knowledge gained. It is interactive, empowers participants to facilitate change, and it is designed around the needs of the specific school and students, not just theory. The benefits of action research include more professional collaboration, effective modeling of desired behaviors, and an increase of best practices being utilized.
As an instructional specialist, my uses for action research would include determining the effectiveness of an intervention program, or the effect of specific student services provided to at risk students. I might also use action research to determine the effectiveness of professional development that I provide to teachers that would help determine future courses. Action research provides an avenue to reflect on current practices, develop questions for further understanding that will provide valuable feedback, and conduct research that will help with decision making.
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