Action Research for Improving Educational Practice
A Step-by-Step Guide
- Valsa Koshy - Brunel University, UK
Whether you are a busy teacher doing research in your classroom, an undergraduate starting your research project, or a Masters level or education doctorate 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:
- 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
- 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.
Valsa Koshy is Professor of Education and Director of a Research and Development Centre at Brunel University.
'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.
good guide book on action research
Simple guide to carrying out Action Research. Takes you through all the necessary steps to complete your research with too much jagoon
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.
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.
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
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.
An outstanding book - clear explanations , clear content and highly enjoyable to read. Now on the reading list and the must buys for some students
writing style is very informative and individual studies add clarity would be nice to reference the post 16 years in education
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
