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Action Research for Improving Educational Practice
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Action Research for Improving Educational Practice
A Step-by-Step Guide

Second Edition


October 2009 | 176 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Praise for the first edition:

"This will be a useful guide for a range of teacher-researchers, honours students and others interested in improving their practice."
- British Journal of Educational Technology

"A comprehensive guide to action research; it will be the equivalent of having an experienced tutor available twenty four hours a day to provide valuable advice and reassurance to the researcher, at all stages of the project."
- Carole Portman-Smith, Advanced Skills Teacher for the London borough of Richmond Upon Thames

Which topics are right for Action Research in an education context? How do you go about planning a project, collecting and analyzing your data? What's the best way to present your research findings to parents, colleagues, or funding bodies?

Whether you are a busy teacher doing research in your classroom, an undergraduate starting your research project, or a graduate student writing up your dissertation, this step-by-step guide takes you through every stage involved in carrying out action research.

In this brand new edition, you will find additional guidance on:

  • The challenges of being an insider researcher
  • Searching and analyzing literature from the internet
  • Children's participation and children's rights in action research projects in educational settings
  • Validity and authenticity in action research
  • A new chapter on writing for publication
  • An action research planning sheet

This book draws on Valsa Koshy's extensive experience of supervising researchers at all levels, and includes examples of action research carried out by practitioners across a range of topics and age groups. Case studies include UK and international examples, allowing you to reflect on multiple perspectives of action research in education.

Those new to action research, and those looking for a straightforward explanation of the methods involved, will find this book invaluable.

 
What Is Action Research?
 
Getting Started
 
Reviewing the Literature
 
Planning Action
 
Gathering Data
 
Analyzing Data and Generating Evidence
 
Writing up Your Action Research
 
Publishing Your Action Research and Planning the Next Steps

'This second edition of Valsa Koshy's book is highly readable and of genuine relevance to teachers and student teachers undertaking action research. There are many texts on action research , but this one appeals because of its clarity and sense of purpose...The book is valuable as a textbook for teachers either engaged in enquiry-based postgraduate study, or as a practical guide to those beginning to explore the potential of action research for developing practice' -
Learning and Teaching Update


'The book is an extremely useful guide to setting-up and carrying out action research [offering] the reader a number of case studies drawn from both UK and international contexts, theoretical views and practical advice for the new researcher...the addition in this second edition of a dedicated chapter on 'how to write for publication' adds great value for the practitioner reader and student alike...Essential reading if you are interested in this field of practitioner research' -
Management in Education


'This book is an exceptionably clear and lucid guide to Action Research. Aimed at practitioners and educational students, from both school and post compulsory sectors, it provides straightforward guidance about what Action Research is and how to carry it out. Clearly written and using many examples and case studies from the author's own teaching it is hard not to be motivated by this book and the possibilities it contains for Action Research in education' -
Yvon Appelby, Senior Lecturer, University of Central Lancashire


This book covers the end of year 2 pgce FE course end assisngment, students found it easy to navigate, extremely helpful and informative.

Mr Peter Craig Bergelin
Accounting, Coleg Y Cymoedd (Ystrad Mynach)
October 19, 2022

good guide book on action research

Mrs Geraldine Anita Parks
Department of Education, St Mary's University College (Belfast)
June 7, 2021

Simple guide to carrying out Action Research. Takes you through all the necessary steps to complete your research with too much jagoon

Ms Lisa Hiles
Education , Coleg y Cymoedd
December 7, 2016

This book is highly recommended for Action Research in any context. Koshy breaks down the theory and includes examples that are easy to relate to in a working context. Koshy also mentions areas such as triangulation in regard to quality that I had not come across before.

Miss Abby Taylor
Business Administration , Rotherham College of Arts & Technology
December 14, 2015

This book is perfect for students exploring social research methods or conducting an action research project.

It offers an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to action research; starting with highly informative background information, followed by a guide on literature reviews, data collection (qualitative and quantitative), analysis of results and writing-up the research project.

The book is very useful for level three and four students, exploring social research methods or conducting their own action research project. It makes the key terms easy to understand, the book uses a wealth of examples to explore and provide a real-life perspective of the key points being made.

It is essential reading for anyone conducting or studying action research.

Mr Gavin Hatton
Sociology , St David's College
September 17, 2015

Really clear and useful for the particular type of research that the FD students undertake. Its their introduction to the field of research and the book is user friendly, easy to navigate and the case studies/examples are really useful and relevant

Mrs Kathleen Piercey
Professional Studies, Bracknell & Wokingham College
November 14, 2015

A great easy to read text to help you with your action research project. This has included examples of topics, data collection, and even provides a simple, understandable explanation about how to go about coding your research. A good basic all-round action research guide.

Miss Lisa Evison
Teacher Training, Rotherham College of Arts & Technology
April 12, 2015

An outstanding book - clear explanations , clear content and highly enjoyable to read. Now on the reading list and the must buys for some students

Mr Brian Boag
Faculty of Education,Health & Sciences, Derby University
May 7, 2014

writing style is very informative and individual studies add clarity would be nice to reference the post 16 years in education

Mrs Laura Castles
Management, Torfaen Training
March 20, 2014

New to the 2nd edition is guidance on the following:

  • Philosophical underpinnings of Action Research
  • The challenges of being an insider researcher
  • Searching and analysing literature from the internet
  • Children's participation and children's rights in action research projects in educational settings
  • Validity and authenticity in action research

The 2nd edition also features:

  • A new chapter on writing for publication
  • An action research planning sheet

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One

Chapter 5: Gathering data


Valsa Koshy

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781848601604
£35.99