What is action research?

Action research is about practitioners (in this case, principals) striving to understand and to improve their practice.

Action research proceeds through a process of planning, action and reflection upon action. This can be thought of as an action-reflection cycle.

Action research involves the gathering of evidence about practice.

Action research involves practitioners trying to see the effects of planned change in their practice.

Action research strives to be systematic and rigorous.

Analysis and knowledge formation in action research belong to the practitioner.

Principals use action research because they want to change their practices or those of the school. The principal may be concerned that things might not be going as he/she wishes, or he/she may simply need to implement a new initiative but is unsure how to do it effectively. Action research provides the opportunity for reflection and action. The aim of the action researcher is to bring about development in his or her practice by analyzing existing practice and identifying elements for change. The process is founded on the gathering of evidence on which to make informed rather than intuitive judgments and decisions.  One important aspect of action research is that the process enhances the practitioner’s professional development through the fostering of their capability as professional knowledge makers, rather than simply as professional knowledge users.