Chapter 1, Embracing the Teaching Profession

Lesson 3. – Understanding AR processes and models

1 ACTION RESEARCH

3
Desired Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students shall be able to:

 Identify sample models of action research

 Analyze an AR abstract through the use of the different AR
models presented

Lesson 3
Understanding Action Research Processes and Models

 Models and guide in conducting AR

 McNiff & Whitehead, 2006
 Nelson, 2014
 Deped Order no. 16 s. 2017 model

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Lesson 3. – Understanding AR processes and models

Explore

The Definition of action research evolved overtime. There is no singular definition of

action research. Anchored on the idea of inquiry by John Dewey several other authors have
advanced the concept of action research.

Action research is a type of inquiry that is:

Theoritical as it is informed
Practical as it involves Concerned with change and
by theory and can generate
making changes to practice improvement
new insights

Action research has been embraced in education for its value in transforming school
practices by the practitioners themselves. It is used to address practical problems in the
classroom. It is a process that allows teachers to study their own classroom and school setting
to improve their effectiveness.

Teacher Action Research (TAR) is a method for educational practitioners (teachers,

school leaders) to engage in the assessment and improvement of their own practice. It is a
tool to help classroom teachers consider their teaching methods or to adopts a strategy in
order to solve everyday problem in the school setting.

Here are some questions and answers that you need to know:
1. What are the Core Characteristics of Action Research (Titchen, 2015)?
 Systematic – Like any form of research, it follows a system.
 Rigorous – It has rigor, meaning a strict adherence to the rules of empirical studies.
 Reflective – It follows a continuous reflection and action
 Situational – It is more specific to the location (school) circumstances (teaching and
learning, etc.).
 Participative – AR can be participative where teachers and learners are co-
researchers.
 Future-oriented – It seeks solution to the current problem for future improvement.
2. Why is Action Research useful to me as a Teacher Researcher?
 AR can help me to learn how to improve my practice as a teacher in terms of
teaching methods, classroom management, preparation of the learning
environment, developing instructional materials and assessment.
 AR can help me learn more about a wider range of research methods that I can us
in the future.
 AR can provide me more space to think deeply about the issues that confront
teaching and learning.
 AR can help me engage with my mentor and peers to enable me to improve my
teaching practices through action research.
 AR can help me develop new knowledge which is directly related to me area of
specialization.
3. What types of classroom action studies that can I engage in?
 Creating changes in the classroom practices.
Example: What changes will daily writing have on my students?

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Lesson 3. – Understanding AR processes and models

 Establishing effects of curriculum restructuring.

Example: will the use of mother tongue enhance the reading skills of my learners?
 Enhancing new understanding of learners.
Example: What happens when students get demotivated?
 Teaching a new process to the students.
Example: How can I teach third grades to do reflection?

Read more about action research and answer the activity provided.

Deepen

MODELS and GUIDE in CONDUCTING ACTION RESEARCH

* McNiff & Whitehead 2006 (Adaptation)
Action Research Cycle The Action Research Process
Observe Identify the Problem
1. Based on observation and noticing, what problematic
situations prevail in the classroom or teaching learning
environment?
2. Which of these problems shall I focus on?
3. What does literature say about this problem? On what
theories or principles, I learned before is the problem
anchored?
Reflect Reflect (reflection continues all throughout the process.)
1. What do I hope to achieve? What do I intend to change
for the better?
2. Is doing this action research important to improve my
practice?
3. Can I do this alone? Or should I collaborate?
Plan Plan an Action Research Strategy
1. What type of research will I use? Quantitative?
Qualitative?
2. How will I describe my innovation? Intervention?
Strategy?
3. Is my doable within the given period of time?
Act Take Action
1. How do u put my plan into action? How long?
2. How will I gather data or information?
3. What sense or meaning do I get out of the data?
Evaluate Use Findings
1. Where do I apply results to improve practice?
2. Are my findings worth sharing?
Modify Move to Another Cycle
1. Is there a need to modify intervention to get new
results?
2. Should I move to another cycle of action research?

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Lesson 3. – Understanding AR processes and models

* Nelson, O. 2014 Model

Observe Identify the Problem
1. Based on observation and noticing, what problematic
situations prevail in the classroom or teaching learning
environment?
2. Which of these problems shall I focus on?
3. What does literature say about this problem? On what
theories or principles, I learned before is the problem
anchored?
Reflect Reflect (reflection continues all throughout the process.)
1. What do I hope to achieve? What do I intend to change
for the better?
2. Is doing this action research important to improve my
practice?
3. Can I do this alone? Or should I collaborate?
Plan Plan an Action Research Strategy
1. What type of research will I use? Quantitative?
Qualitative?
2. How will I describe my innovation? Intervention?
Strategy?
3. Is my doable within the given period of time?
Act Take Action
1. How do u put my plan into action? How long?
2. How will I gather data or information?
3. What sense or meaning do I get out of the data?

* Department of Education (DO 16) 2017 Model

Action Research Key Action Research Process
Components
I. CONTEXT AND Identifying the Problem
RATIONALE 1. Why am I doing this?
II. ACTION 2. What is the background of my action research?
RESEARCH 3. What problem/question am I trying to solve?
QUESTIONS 4. What do I hope to achieve?
III. PROPOSED Proposed Plan
INNOVATION, 1. What do I plan as a solution to the problem I identified?
INTERVENTION (Describe.)
AND STRATEGY 2. What innovation will I introduce to solve the problem?
(Describe.)
3. What strategy should I introduce? (Describe.)
IV. ACTION Plan of Action Research
RESEARCH 1. Who are to participate? (my students, peers, myself)
METHODS 2. What are my sources of information? (participants)
a. PARTICIPANTS 3. How shall I gather information?
AND/OR 4. How will I analyze my data/information?
OTHER
SOURCES OF
DATA AND
INFORMATION

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b. DATA
GATHERING
METHODS
c. DATA
ANALYSIS
PLAN
V. ACTION Action Research Work Plan
RESEARCH WORK 1. What should my work plan contain? (targets, activities,
PLAN AND persons involved, timeline, cost)
TIMELINES 2. How long will I conduct my intervention? (for reliable
results 8 to 12 weeks)
VI. COST ESTIMATES Action Research Cost – (consider also the maximum cost if
externally funded like DepEd, LGUs NGO or personal)
VII. PLAS FOR Sharing Results
DISSEMINATION 1. How will I share the result of my action research?
AND UTILIZATION (publish, present, flyers, LAC sessions)
2. Can I collaborate with other teachers to continue or
replicate my study?
VIII. REFERENCES References
1. What reading materials and references are included in
my review of literature?

Both Action Research Process above are supported by the two AR Models which will
be presented next.

Action research is a dynamic process anchored on Reflection  Action Cycle of

Observing, Reflecting, Acting, Evaluating and Modifying.

An Action-Reflection Cycle as Basis for Action Research

Source: McNiff and Whitehead, 2006

Action research is a cyclical, recursive process of observe >> reflect>> act>>

evaluate>> modify>> move in new direction is known as action-reflection (McNiff & Whitehead,
2006). In 2011, McNiff defined action research as a form of inquiry that enables practitioners
to investigate and evaluate their work. Before that, Corey in 1953 viewed action research as
a recursive or repeated process, proceeding through spiraling cycle of planning, actions,
reflections and change.

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In a similar vein, Nelson, 2014 proposed an action research cycle that starts with
Observe followed by Reflect, Plan and Act which can also go through evaluation and
modification. It also follows a cyclical process.

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 Chapter 1, Embracing the Teaching Profession
Lesson 3. – Understanding AR processes and models

Observe and Do

Note to students: The following activities must be answered individually. Activity

sheets should be printed and compiled for submission through any
available platform.

MY ACTIVITY

Make a List of Completed Action Research Titles by teachers in the Field.

1. Make a library or on-line search of the different Completed Action Research

Titles Conducted by Teachers.
2. Enter the list in the matrix similar to the one below.
3. Submit your list of five (5) Titles of Completed Action Research Studies to your
mentor as reference.

Inventory of Sample Action Research Conducted by Teachers

List of Completed Action research Titles Author/Authors Reference

Example: Differentiated Instruction in Teaching
Mary joy Olicia
English for Grade Four Classes.
1.
2
3
4
5

MY analysis

1. Choose an AR sample Abstract that you submitted in My Activity.

2. Analyze the components vis-à-vis only one model out of the 3 presented.

* If you choose to compare with Model A – McNiff & Whitehead, 2006, here are
the components.
Title and Author of the Action Research:
Key Components Entry from your Sample AR
OBSERVE The Problem
REFLECT Reflection
PLAN Plan of Action
ACT Implementation
EVALUATE Findings
MODIFY Recommendation

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Lesson 3. – Understanding AR processes and models

* If you choose to compare with Model B – Nelson, O. 2014, here are the
components.
Title and Author of the Action Research:
Key Components Entry from your Sample AR
OBSERVE The Problem
REFLECT Reflection
PLAN Plan of Action
ACT Implementation

* Or if you choose the DepEd Model 2017, here are the components.
Title and Author: (the same as your entry in model A)
Key Component Action Research Process
I. Context and Rationale Study Background
II. Action Research AR Questions
Questions
III. Proposed Innovation, Describe Innovation/Intervention/Strategy.
Intervention Strategy
IV. Action Research Describe Action Research Methods.
Methods
a. Participants/Other
sources of Data
b. Data Gathering
Methods
c. Data Analysis Plan
V. Action Research Work Summarize Action Research Work Plan.
Plan
VI. Cost Estimate Write cost estimate.
VII. Plan for Dissemination Describe how the results will be shared.
and Utilization
VIII. References Write at least 3 references

MY reflection

What have you understood about the concept of Action Research and how
will these be utilized in your practice?

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