Action Research

Action research refers to a type of research that is focused on identifying problems and weaknesses to develop practical solutions, that are implemented, to deal with those issues effectively and efficiently. These problems can be organizational, academic, or instructional. If we talk specifically about the Classroom action research, so it refers to the action taken to solve classroom issues or challenges. It is an ongoing process of reflection which helps teachers to explore and  examine the different aspects of teaching and learning to take action for improvement. Classroom action research can be conducted by a single teacher, by a group of colleagues who share an interest in a problem, or by the entire faculty of a school. 

Action research is also called a cycle of action because it follows a proper process that is repeated over time. The steps of the action cycle are given below:

-Identification of the problem

-Collection of data on the problem

-Organization, analysis, and interpretation of data collected in previous step

-Development of a plan to address the problem

-Implementation of the plan

-Evaluation and reflection on the results of the actions taken

-Follow-up plan (Re-plan)

Importance of Action Research for Teachers 

-Conducting an action research is empowering for teachers because instead of relying on the published researches that have less relevance to their context and waiting for other researchers to come to their classroom and find solutions for their classroom problems, they themselves hold the power of changing and improving their classroom by taking an action. Whenever they face issues, they can reflect on it, interact with students to know the causes and simply take an action to resolve it.

-It helps the teachers to plan an action that is suitable for his/her students. If a foreign researcher comes, he/she may not know the psyche, learning style and learning needs of the students. A teacher, who is teaching the specific students, knows well about them and give them the treatment that is suitable for them.

-It deepens the teachers’ understanding of the teaching and learning and develops their teaching skills and knowledge. By continuously trying to know the causes of the problems, getting knowledge about it and taking actions to resolve it, they come to know that which things are fruitful to be implemented and which thing should be avoided in teaching and learning. In this way, they also refine and enhance their teaching skills, classroom practices and knowledge.

-It allows the teachers to try out diverse approaches, methods and ideas for improving their teaching and learning process

-When teachers take action, they reflect on the actions to see what worked well, what need to be changed, and which further steps should be taken for improvement. So, this develops reflective practice of teachers.

-When teachers try out new methods and practices for teaching, these diverse teaching methods and practices pave a way for students to learn well.