Action Research Musings

Action resaerch is a process that lends itself to promoting progress. It does this through reflection and action. It flows along with a similar process that I know well called the scientific method. However, it takes this problem solving process one step farther by adding in the aspect of reflection. Action research lends itself to collaboration in the fact that it is a grassroots type decision making process. It comes from the people who are in the middle of those situations, who have firsthand knowledge about the importance and limitations that exist. It is also a great organizational and focusing tool. In the hectic day of a principal, it can slow you down and force you to focus on one situation at a time rather than dedicating partial efforts in many different directions. The most important part of action research for me is that it can be used as a self evaluation tool. It makes you look at your practices and methodologies and evaluate them from within. This is important because it is the driving force behind you not just being a leader, but being the head learner as well. You model the behaviors that are required by everyone, including staff and students, who desire to be more successful.