Action Research in Education, Pearson New International Edition, 2nd edition

Action research, applied systematically to the issue of poor academic performance, provides a high likelihood of improving student outcomes. The action research processes described in this book are honed by many years of successful application, and provide teachers, educational leaders, families and community members with a set of tools for engaging with significant problems in classrooms and schools. This book is designed to provide the reader with an understanding of the nature of action research and the procedures and applications of action research. In addition, it provides practical resources that add to the fundamentals of knowledge available to action researchers. The text is detailed, providing specific guidance for many of the skills that may be required for the different contexts and problems to which action research can be applied. Conceptual frameworks provide a "compass" or "roadmap" that will enable practitioners to keep track of action research processes applied to their work.

• Practical Processes–Show how action research may be applied expediently and judiciously in ways that integrate easily with regular school activities. It is possible to apply action research as a process of inquiry learning in a single lesson lasting 30 to 40 minutes.
• New! Substantial Revision to the Text–Increases the flow and overall readability. The second edition is now even more clear, comprehensible and user-friendly.
• Chapter 3, Initiating a Study: Research Design–Addresses design, ethics, and validity. Introduces students to the human dimension of action research—examines sampling, informed consent, permissions, credibility, the index of engagement (excitement, interest, apathy, resistance), and other factors.
• Chapter 4, Gathering Data: Sources of Information–Details the specifics of interviewing, observation, and surveys. Familiarizes future teacher researchers with techniques of information gathering from a variety of sources—interviews, surveys, records, artifacts, and others.
• Chapter 5, Identifying Key Issues: Data Analysis–Discusses analyzing epiphanies and categorizing and coding data. This exceptionally strong chapter provides excellent tools for working with, organizing, and processing qualitative data.
• Chapter 8, Case Studies: Action Research Reports, Presentations and Performances–Provides a wealth of opportunities for readers to engage with their understanding of text material. This chapter offers ten real, full-length case studies of action research in progress, for example, projects on sexual harassment and communication between school and the community,
• Chapter 9, Online Resources–Presents information on websites related to action sesearch. Offers readers resources for author-approved information on action research which serve as springboards for in-class discussions, homework assignments, and individual research projects.
• Real World Examples of Action Research–Show highly successful action research projects illustrating text-proposed techniques in schools as varied as those in the United States, Australia, East Timor and other locations documenting what works and what doesn't--helping readers understand “why.” The examples are based on projects implemented by teachers, students, parents, principals, and university faculty and cover a wide range of school-related problems, from classroom learning through student behavioral issues to parent and family participation. (See pages 177 and 204 for examples.)
• An Opening Framework in Every Chapter–Places specific chapter content within the larger context of the research process–making subsequent material more relevant and easier to understand. (See pages 30 and 146 for examples.)
• New! Updated Research and Additional Citations–Keep the text up to date and current while providing readers with the opportunity to use the text as a resource to further their own learning and understanding of chapter concepts through independent study.

• New! Substantial Revision to the Text–Increases the flow and overall readability. The second edition is now even more clear, comprehensible and user-friendly.
• New! Updated Research and Additional Citations–Keep the text up to date and current while providing readers with the opportunity to use the text as a resource to further their own learning and understanding of chapter concepts through independent study.