A Toolkit for Action Research

by Sandra M. Alber

Overview

This book facilitates the completion of action research studies by providing a series of tasks that guide action researchers from the beginning of a project and selecting a topic for study, to completion of the project and editing final reports. All too often, students and practicing professionals in professional development schools are overwhelmed by the thought of doing an action research project and resort to using quasi-experimental designs. A Toolkit for Action Research puts an end to both, with the result being a life-long learning and reflection tool for teachers. This workbook can be used alone, or in conjunction with traditional action research texts, such as Daniel Tomal's Action Research for Educators.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442206939
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/16/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Sandra M. Alber is associate professor of education at Oakland University. She has mentored hundreds of action researchers since 1992.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Dedication
Part 2 Preface
Part 3 Acknowledgments
Part 4 Section One - Setting the Stage for the Action Research Project
Chapter 5 Finding My Topic - Part 2
Chapter 6 Developing a Thesis Statement
Chapter 7 Asking Your Research Question
Chapter 8 Preparing to Discuss the Problem and Context of Your Study
Chapter 9 Describing the Purpose of Your Research
Chapter 10 Identifying Related Aspects of Your General Topic - Method I
Chapter 11 Identifying Related Aspects of Your General Topic - Method II
Chapter 12 Organizing for Writing
Part 13 Section Two - Review of the Related Literature
Chapter 14 Writing the Rationale for Your Study
Chapter 15 Preparing for the Review of the Related Literature
Chapter 16 Research Records
Chapter 17 Definitions
Chapter 18 Preparing to Write the Review of Related Literature - The Introduction
Chapter 19 Preparing to Write the Body of the Review of the Related Literature - Organizing the Review of the Literature
Chapter 20 Writing the Review of the Related Literature - Ethics Checklist
Part 21 Section Three - Methodology
Chapter 22 Methodology Frames
Chapter 23 Planning and Data Collection - Ethics Checklist
Chapter 24 Data Collection Tools
Chapter 25 Ethics Checklist
Chapter 26 Section Four - Data Analysis and Display
Chapter 27 From Implementation to Analysis
Chapter 28 Data Sorting Frames
Chapter 29 Displaying Data
Part 30 Section Five - Discussion, Implications, Recommendations
Chapter 31 Planning the Discussion, Implications and Conclusions
Chapter 32 Discussion, Implications, Conclusions - Ethics Checklist
Chapter 33 Final Editing Checklist

Editorial Reviews

Dr. Sandra Alber has written a user-friendly guide for pre-service and in-service teachers who wish to engage in action research projects to inform their teaching. The book walks the user through all phases of the project in easy-to-follow steps that facilitate success and limit stress. This is a book I will use myself and strongly recommend to the teachers and students I work with.

Jane McCarthy

A Toolkit for Action Research is a comprehensive, practical handbook on the art and science of doing action research. Intended to be used as an interactive workbook, the book is divided into five sections, starting with the basics of selecting a topic and ending with strategies for final editing. This is a must-have resource for a variety of audiences, including P-12 teachers and administrators, teacher education candidates, higher education professors, and other practicing professionals.

Annette D. Digby

A great supplemental, resource guide for guiding students through action research

Daniel R. Tomal

Sandra Alber's A Toolkit for Action Research fills a void that exists for many novices between the theory and actual practice of Action Research. By providing a practical handbook consisting of "frames" for considering the issues and steps involved from the first conceptualization stages through the final completion of the research and presentation of findings in written form, the book becomes a bridge spanning this chasm.

Beverly J. Klug

A Toolkit for Action Research is a very practical and useful resource for conducting meaningful research. Further, this book is a must for teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses on research as it includes a plethora of forms for immediate use.

Ed Pultorak

A great supplemental, resource guide for guiding students through action research

Dan Tomal