Short Guide to Action Research, A - Softcover

A Short Guide to Action Research, Fourth Edition

Andrew P. Johnson

This user-friendly text provides students with everything a pre-service or in-service teacher needs to know to conduct an action research project in a clear, step-by-step presentation.

A Short Guide in Action Research, Fourth Edition, guides the learner through both qualitative and quantitative techniques in educational research methods and then describes all phases of the process, including selecting a topic; collecting, analyzing, and reporting data; reviewing the literature; and presenting the report. Data collection techniques reflecting popular authentic assessments and real-life examples enliven concepts throughout the text. Step-by-step directions for using action research to complete a Master’s Thesis are included.

Features of This Text

• Field Experience examples for both professor and student are expanded. These easy-to-access examples incorporate real-world experience into the classroom setting.
• Action research questions to use as ideas for projects are included at the end of each chapter in the book.
• NEW! Website www.AR-Johnson.com features video mini-lectures for each chapter; examples of action research projects, literature reviews, action research proposals, and Masters theses; guidelines, additional information and video tutorials related to academic writing; a variety of downloadable forms, checklists, and data retrieval charts; links to professional development resources and expanded chapter content.
• Chapter 5 contains new information related to writing a literature review.  Included here are step-by-step instructions that take you through all phases of action research including finding sources, note-taking, organization, drafting, using citations, and creating the reference page.
• Chapter 6 contains a variety of new data collection techniques including conducting  email interviews, conducting online surveys, and using online platforms.
• Chapter 9: Evaluating, Describing, and Proposing Research is new to this edition.  Included here are: (a) a general overview related to the use and misuse of research in education, (b) a description of the principles and definition of scientifically based research, (c) specific guidelines for evaluation of quantitative and qualitative research, (d) a description of an annotated bibliography, and (e) a description of a research proposal.  Two sample action research proposals are also included here.
• Tips for reporting quantitative and qualitative data are revised and contained in one chapter (Chapter 10).
• In this edition, all sample action research projects are found in the Appendix.  New sample action research projects are included.

Here’s what your colleagues have to say about this book:

“This book is excellent. The author manages to explain action research and how to do it without frightening the novice researcher away from what can be a very full-filling and informative endeavor.”

–Sandra Luna McCune, Stephen F. Austin State University

“A Short Guide to Action Research provides a concise, thorough picture of action research. It successfully mixes theory and practical information in covering the topics related to action research.”

–Carole Milner, Minnesota State University