Action Research Topic Identification and Research Planning
Action Research Topic Identification and Research Planning
2. Is there a specific topic from the above list that you want to work on right now?
Often teachers/corporate workers who engage in action research try to accomplish too much at
once. It is important that you narrow the focus of your topic. Look at the above list and begin
prioritizing the topics. Then identify a topic you would like to work. In the space below, please list
the specific topic you want to work on.
4. Do you think that your research question addresses the issue(s) you raised as areas that you
would like to improve in your teaching right now?
It is always a good idea to double check if your research question in fact addresses the issue(s)
you raised as areas you want to improve right now. Please examine your research question and
areas of improvement. If they are complementary move to 5, if not, change your research
question so that it is complementary to the issue(s) you raised.
5. Do you have any external source of information (i.e. journal articles, web articles, comments
from other teachers/colleagues) about your topic?
After you identify your research question you need to search for external resources that address
your topic. Often times, these external resources will give you insights on how to carry out your
research, what are the likely results you will find, and how you ought to analyze the information
you collect. In the space provided below, please list any external resources you have related to
your research question.
6. What are the actions you are going to take to implement change in your teaching/work
practice through your research?
Action research is based on the iterative cycles of implementing changes in teaching/work,
making reflections on the changes, and then make another change based on what was learned
from reflections, then reflect on the changes again, then make another…etc. In the space below,
please list what changes you are going to implement in your teaching/work. Please make sure
that these actions are going to help you find the answers related to your research question.
7. What research methodologies are you going to take to monitor the affects from the change
you implemented?
In action research, you have to keep a record of how the change you implemented in your
practice affected you, your students/clients, the school/business. Therefore you need to use data
collection methodologies such as surveys, interviews, observations, and journaling to monitor the
impact of the change. In the space below, please list the methodologies you are going to use to
monitor the affects from the change you implement.
Example Timeline
Week Stages of Action Research Planned Action
1 Identify action research question • Examine issues in teaching/work
• Prioritize issues
• Identify a research question that
addresses the most important issue
• Examine if the research question will
provide answer to the identified issue
2 Find external resources that are related to • Talk to other teachers/colleagues
the research question about research question and see how
they react, and ask them if they can
think of good resources
• Find journal articles related to
research question
3 Create data collection instruments and • Decide what data collection
data analysis methodology and ensure for methodologies will provide meaningful
trustworthiness information
• Create survey, interview questions,
and start journaling
• Decide how to analyze the survey
data, interview data, and journal
entries
• Evaluate trustworthy
4 Implement change in teaching/work and • Implement changes and collect data
collect data on it on it
5 Analyze data and examine findings • Analyze information from data
collection and determine major
findings
7 Refine classroom activities and collect • Implement changes and collect data
another set of data
8 Analyze data, examine new findings, and • Analyze information from data
examine how to proceed with this project collection and determine major
findings
• Plan how to improve teaching/work
Your Timeline
Week Stages of Action Research Your 2 Hours Worth of Planned Action
1 •
2 •
3 •
4 •
5 •
6 •
7 •
8 •
References
McNiff, J., & Whitehead, J. (2002). Action research: Principles and practice (2nd ed.). New
York: Routledge Falmer.
Schön, D. A. (1987). Educating the reflective practitioner. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
Publishers.