Action Research: What is it and how can I use it?

Action research is a relatively new term in my vocabulary. I have heard people mention it, but never knew exactly what it was. Action research is a systematic way of administrators evaluating their own methods and practices and making changes based on their findings. I like to think of it as principals evaluating their own campuses and diagnosing any potential or real problems, collecting data about the problem, creating solutions or ways to improve current conditions, and implementing the change. It doesn’t stop here though. The principal is constantly evaluating the situation and making changes when necessary. Effective educators must make time for action research and must allow it to become second nature. Action research comes in many forms such as plc’s, leadership team meetings, and administrators meetings to name a few. Principals use action research to grow as a leader and to make changes at the campus level that will directly effect student achievement at their campus. This process is an ongoing process that never stops.
Action research can be used for many reasons. You could use it to bring a school together by creating a common problem that is keeping the school from reaching its overall goal. Teachers and staff could be involved in the process to answer the questions and to creating a solution for the school. Principals can also use it to evaluate their own practices and to become overall better educators. This allows the principal to become the best educator he or she can be for the school. Action research allows the principal to become the head learner and to lead by example.