Action Research In Education
"Action research is a process by which a researcher tries to study his problems scientifically with a view to directing, modify and evaluate his actions and decisions." - Stephen M. Corey
"Action research is the research used by teachers, supervisors and administrators for qualitative improvement of their actions and rules." - Good
"Action research is the research that a person conducts to achieve his objectives more effectively." - Research In Education (NCERT)
• Meaning of Action Research
Action research is a novel experiment in the field of education. It is used to improve various academic and co-curricular activities of the school.
Action research is research by researchers in their work experiments for personal improvement. Action research is a process by which a researcher tries to study his problems in a scientific manner with a view to directing, modifying and evaluating his actions and decisions.
In action research, the learner collects, experiments and tests and evaluates evidence to find scientific solutions to their educational problems in order to improve teaching.
• History of Action Research
The term action research was first used by Collier during the Second World War. He believed that unless the persons concerned with the work which needed improvement, themselves would not participate in the research work, then it would be mere imagination to expect improvement in that work.
In 1946, Levin emphasized the method of action research to improve the direction of social relations. Wrightstone used the term 'Research Action' when describing the functions of the Curriculum Bureau. Taba, Brady and Robinson used action research as a specific approach to problem solving.
The development of action research in the field of education is considered to be from 1926. Bankingham in his book 'Research for Teachers' emphasized the need for research for teachers.
Stephen M. Corey, a professor at Columbia University, first applied action research to problems of education in 1953.
Hence Stephen M. Corey can be seen as the father or originator of action research. NCERT published a book titled 'Research in Education' in 1962 for action research.
• Objectives of Action Research
The main objective of action research is to find problem solving to improve the performance of a specific area.
The objectives of action research is mainly to improve the work by solving the problem arising in the particular area.
In action research, person solve the problem of his/her field like – Language teacher, Objective and systematic study of the problem in the field of language teaching itself is the basis of action research.
Progress and improvement in the functioning of the school, development of democratic environment in the school, development of scientific attitude in the school administration and other workers, improvement in the teaching methods and creation of interesting and useful curriculum, problems of juvenile delinquency, backwardness and indiscipline among the students etc. Solving is also the main objective of action research.
• Scope of Action Research
The scope of action research is limited to the problem related to that area of work, whose purpose is to improve the work by solving it.
1. needs study of children
2. study of interests
3. discipline related problems
4. social problems
5. social environment for learning and teaching
6. problems of teachers
7. Curriculum construction problems
8. Improvement in classroom teaching methods
9. Utility of teaching learning aids
10. Problems of student absenteeism, being late to class, and running away from school
11. Reading and Spelling Problems in Language Teaching
12. problem of cheating in exams
13. school administration problems
• Features of Action Research
1. Decisions of action research prove to be meaningful only in the specific area concerned.
2. In action research, the teacher adopts his methodology according to the need and situation.
3. The scope of action research is limited and local.
4. The formulation of hypotheses in action research is based on the analysis of causes.
5. Use of teacher-made tests and other standardized tests
6. Procedure is the practical form of problem solving.
7. The teacher himself assesses the success.
8. The researcher has a direct relationship with the problem.
• Steps in Action Research
To conduct action research one has to go through certain steps or stages. Anderson has considered 7 steps of action research as essential.
7 steps of action research according to Anderson
1. identify the problem
2. Discussion on proposals for work
3. Selection of the plan and formulation of the hypothesis
4. Formulation of Methods for Collecting Facts
5. Implementation of the plan and compilation of evidence
6. Conclusion Based on Facts
7. Reporting Results to Others
1. Problem Area Identification
Identifying and selecting the problem is the first step in action research. Without a clear identification of the problem, the researcher will not have a strong sense of the need to solve the problem. The problem should be related to the inner workings of the school so that it can be studied within the school itself.
It is also necessary for the teacher to be well aware of the problem area and to have genuine interest in it. Being familiar with the problem area and having experience in its work area, the teacher feels the need to investigate that problem. It would be better to choose such a problem in which some other teachers are also interested in which research work can be done jointly.
2. Specific Problem Selection
Demarcation of the problem means to select a certain specific problem by demarcating the wider problem area. For example, the problem of spelling is a wide and widespread problem and is prevalent at all class levels.
Therefore, the teacher researcher identifies the problem of spelling errors related to a specific problem such as sh, sh, s among the spelling problems for the students of a class or a section of it and does action research on the same. For example, Demarcation the problem of spelling errors related to sh, s, and does action research on the same.
In this way only by selecting a particular certain problem it can be studied objectively and systematically.
3. Diagnosing the Causes or Difficulties of the Problem
After selecting the problem, the researcher should find out the exact cause of the problem on the basis of proofs and evidence. The success of action research depends on this diagnosis of the causes.
The main things to pay attention to in the analysis of causes are that those reasons should have a logical relationship with the problem, those reasons can be tested, its specificity with the problem should be clear, they should be real and authentic and their source should also be known.
4. Building Actional Concepts
After analyzing and diagnosing the causes of the problem, the next step is to build a actional concept. It requires special caution.
It means to think about the actions in which it is possible to solve the problem. These actional concepts are approximate solutions. On the test of experiment, it will be known how reliable it is.
5. Creating and Using an Action Plan
After the formulation of the actional concept, the researcher prepares an action plan and conducts experiments based on the concept. He considers all the circumstances to carry out that action plan.
E.g. what factual material is required, how to obtain and collect it, how long will it take to collect them, what other tools are required to collect them etc.
In the action plan, the researcher also has to keep in mind that his action research will not interfere with the remaining tasks of the school and they will continue to be completed as before.
6. Testing and Validation of Actional Concepts
Based on the actional concept, if the desired goal is achieved by editing a definite action plan, then it is accepted, otherwise it is abandoned.
While editing the work, the concept can be improved or changed as per the requirement. Action plan Gathering facts and figures to determine the extent to which the goal has been achieved. This is called verifying the concept.
The researcher's attention is always towards achieving his goal. Therefore, he uses many test methods to find out the significance and usefulness of the concepts.
Such as inspection, use of questionnaire, interview, test paper, check list, rating scale, statistical methods etc.
7. Generalization and General Principles Testing by Subsequent Actional Conditions.
Findings from action research cannot be applied to other schools or colleges and institutions. It lacks generalisation.
• Action Research Tools
1. Sampling - It is not possible for any researcher to make all the children of the whole school the subject of his research. Therefore, they select some units from the school which represent the whole and on which conclusions can be drawn for the whole on the basis of the study done. Such a group of individuals selected for study is called a sample.
According to Good and Haat, “A sample, as the name suggests, is a relatively small representative of a wider group”.
2. Overview
3. Questionnaire
4. Interview
5. Sociometry
6. Psychological Testing
• General Outline of Action Research
* Subject - Govt Girl Upper primary school Chandan, Panchayat Samiti, Jaisalmer. problem and solution of the girls of dropping out of school before passing class VIII
* Research Rationale
1. To find out the reasons for the girls dropping out of their studies
2. To find out the dislike of the girl child towards education
3. Addressing the problem of low stagnation of the girl child
* Objective -
The girls are regular till the primary classes but by the time they reach the upper primary classes they drop out. Due to which the standard of education also falls. Girls' education is disrupted and the education plan of future generations is also disrupted.
Therefore, to create interest in higher education among the girls. To find out the reasons for leaving studies midway. The aim of this action research is to
* Problem Statement -
Problem and solution of girls of Government Girls Upper Primary School Chandan, Panchayat Samiti, Jaisalmer dropping out of school before passing class VIII.
* Problem Reason -
1. In addition to the teaching work on the girl child, the excess of domestic work
2. Feeling of insecurity among the parents of the adolescent girl child.
3. Not able to find time to come to school due to the care of their younger brothers and sisters by the girl students.
* Hypothesis -
1. Girls' education will be encouraged, interest in higher education will be awakened among girls.
2. There will be a change in the attitude of parents towards girl child education.
3. The condition of stay of the girl child will be ensured.
* Research Campus -
Girls of class 6 to 8 of Government Girls Upper Primary School Chandan, Panchayat Samiti, Jaisalmer.
* Sample - 3 of class 6, 5 of class 7, 6 of class 8, school girl students.
* Tools - To complete the present action research, self-made questionnaire was designed and administered and interview method was adopted.
* Statistics and Techniques - The average percentage in the data analysis work was used for research, statistical method was used.
* Data Collection and Interpretation - The facts came out on the basis of data obtained from the questionnaire and interview used. Questions were asked from 14 girls of the school, 14 parents, 2 teachers including the headmaster.
* Analysis - The head of the institution told that after class 5, the girls of the school come irregularly and they stop coming at all till the eighth grade. The broad reasons for this are as follows -
1. 70% of parents believe that the domestic work is done by the girl child.
2. 50% of female parents said that girls are unable to attend school due to my help in domestic work, taking care of their younger siblings.
3. Teachers said that 60% of girls lag behind in studies due to irregularities in class, non-completion of homework etc. Due to inferiority complex, she leaves the school.
4. 60% of the girls said that they like to stay at home. Because they like cooperation in domestic work more than studies.
5. 50% of the parents said that they do not go to school, even after to say them. Takes interest in other household works.
* Conclusion - After analyzing their answers through parent questionnaire and learner questionnaire, interview, the following conclusions were drawn -
1. Most of the girls cooperate with the parents in the household works.
2. Parents being illiterate are unable to pay much attention to the education of the girl child.
3. Girls take care of baby children at home, so they do not come to school regularly.
4. Indifference towards education of female parents is the main reason for dropping out of girl child's education.
5. Being in rural area, gender discrimination is also a reason. The girl child is not serious about education. Inadequate number of teachers.
* Suggestion -
1. It is necessary to end the problem of gender discrimination, which will increase the interest in education among the girls.
2. Contact with the parents of the girl child and make them understand the importance of education.
3. The above problem should be resolved by holding regular meetings of the Teacher Parent Council.
4. Hand crafts, handmade activities should be organized according to the pleasant and interesting atmosphere of the school.
5. Interest in education should be awakened by the teachers by contacting the girls and their parents from time to time.
* Utility - Research was done on the problem of irregularity and dropout and their solution from class 6 to 8. Which is useful for the girls of class 6 to 8 of my school. Through this, the problem of irregularities of the students is detected and will be resolved.
This action research will be useful for girls in rural areas, other schools, students and learners. This research will bring about a change in the attitude of parents towards gender discrimination and girl child education. In the end, this action research by me is not the end result. May be useful for other researchers in future.
• Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Q. 01 What is the meaning of action research?
Ans. Action research is research by researchers in their work experiments for personal improvement. Action research is a process by which a researcher tries to study his problems in a scientific manner with a view to directing, modifying and evaluating his actions and decisions.
Q. 02 Who is the father of action research?
Ans. Stephen M. Corey, a professor at Columbia University, first applied action research to problems of education in 1953. Hence Stephen M. Corey can be seen as the father or originator of action research.
Q. 03 What is the purpose of action research?
Ans. The objectives of action research is mainly to improve the work by solving the problem arising in the particular area.
In action research, person solve the problem of his/her field like – Language teacher, Objective and systematic study of the problem in the field of language teaching itself is the basis of action research.
Q. 04 How many steps of action research are there?
Ans. To conduct action research one has to go through certain steps or stages. Anderson has considered seven stages of action research as essential. 7 steps of action research according to Anderson
1. knowledge of the problem
2. Discussion on proposals for work
3. Selection of plan and formulation of hypothesis
4. Creating methods for collecting facts
5. Implementation of plan and collection of evidence
6. fact-based conclusion
7. Reporting results to others
Also Read :
Comments
Post a Comment
Ask me anything here...