MODULE 3 GUIDING QUESTIONS:
(1) How can reflection be used to generate ideas for action research?
(2) Explain the process of articulating research questions.
(3) What are the characteristics of a good research question?
(4) Distinguish between a “What is” and a “What works” study and reflect on which might be best for your personal research study.
In Module 1 you learned a great deal about action research and the action research cycle. In Module 2 you investigated four additional types of research applicable to educational settings (Qualitative, Content Analysis, Historical, and Experimental/Group Comparisons). Each research model has benefits and drawbacks — the model you choose, and the scope of your study, will depend upon your particular research focus.
Let’s talk about the scope of your action research project. As you brainstorm topics to investigate think about the scope that would be involved in each — will your research focus strictly on your own classroom/practice (individual action research) or will it have broader involvement/implications (collaborative, school-wide, or district-wide action research)? What do you want to investigate? Will you work alone or with others at your school? Do other members of the class share your research interest? If so, you may consider a research project with an international scope. Remember that your three reflective writing assignments and IRB modules must be completed individually — but your action research proposal may be completed by a small group (no more than four). If you elect to work in a group, the same group will work together in EDU690 to implement your research design.
Your second writing assignment is based on Activity 2.2 found on page 28 of the Hendricks text. Your written assignment must be in APA format and should consist of 3 parts, each indicated by a first level heading as noted below. Be sure to include a title page. All in-text and reference page citations should adhere to APA format.
1- A Reflection on My Practice as an Educator (no more than 300 words)
2- Reflexive Inquiry (no more than 300 words)
3- Research Questions
