Action Research: Using Strategic Inquiry to Improve Teaching and Learning helps educators use research to guide decision-making and determine the effectiveness of various instructional strategies.  The book leads the reader through the action research process using a model of self-regulation, which focuses on task definition, goal setting and planning, enacting research, and adaption. Written specifically for educators who may not feel prepared to measure the impact of interventions on student learning outcomes, the book provides very practical and useful tools, containing specific examples that are relevant to teachers’ everyday reality.  The text also reinforces how action research can improve the teaching and learning process by reinforcing or changing perceptions about the use of informal data, including anecdotal notes or observations, in the research process.  

Table of Contents:
PREFACE Acknowledgments ABOUT THE AUTHORS PHASE I—TASK DEFINITION CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS ACTION RESEARCH? Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Research in the Age of Accountability Taking Action: Using the CAPES Framework Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Introducing the Research Log Activities and Additional Resources PHASE II—GOAL SETTING AND PLANNING CHAPTER 2: IDENTIFYING A RESEARCH TOPIC Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Choosing a Research Topic Taking Action: Developing the Research Topic Developing a Plan or a Product: Completing a Topic Proposal Form Evaluating Against the Standards: Are You Ready to Move On? Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Developing a Topic Activities and Additional Resources CHAPTER 3: CREATING A REVIEW OF LITERATURE Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Sources of Information Taking Action: Locating and Synthesizing Information Developing a Plan or a Product: Writing the Synthesis of Literature Evaluating Against the Standards: Are You Ready to Move On? Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Annotated Bibliography Entries Activities and Additional Resources CHAPTER 4: CREATING A RESEARCH PLAN Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Examining Characteristics and Components of Research Methods Taking Action: Developing a Preliminary Research Plan Developing a Plan or a Product: Initiating the Research Plan Proposal Form Evaluating Against the Standards: Are You Ready to Move On? Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Research Plan (Pre-implementation) Activities and Additional Resources CHAPTER 5: METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Choosing Data Collection Methods Validity and Reliability Sources of Data Taking Action: Selecting Data Collection Methods Developing a Plan or a Product: Revising the Research Plan Proposal Form and Creating a Timeline Evaluating Against the Standards: Are You Ready to Move On? Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Revising the Research Plan and Timeline Activities and Additional Resources PHASE III—ENACTING CHAPTER 6: ANALYZING THE DATA Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Analyzing Your Data Taking Action: Selecting the Method of Data Analysis Developing a Plan or a Product: Completing the Research Plan Proposal Form and Timeline Evaluating Against the Standards: Are You Ready to Move On? Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Final Research Plan and Timeline Activities and Additional Resources PHASE IV—ADAPTATION CHAPTER 7: REFLECTING ON RESULTS AND PLANNING FOR ACTION Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Reflecting on the Results of Action Research Taking Action: Creating a Plan for Action Developing a Plan or a Product: Completing a Plan of Action Evaluating Against the Standards: Are You Ready to Move On? Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Reflecting on Results Activities and Additional Resources CHAPTER 8: THE ACTION RESEARCH REPORT: SHARING RESULTS Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Determining the Audience, Format, and Outlet Taking Action: Crafting the Abstract and Policy Implication Statements Developing a Product: Creating the Action Research Report Outline, Presentation, and Summary Evaluating Against the Standards: Are You Ready to Move On? Moving Forward: Potential Challenges Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Action Research Summary Activities and Additional Resources CHAPTER 9: LEADING A COLLABORATIVE ACTION RESEARCH TEAM Guiding Questions Chapter Aims and Goals Setting the Context: Organizing for Collaborative Action Research Taking Action: Collaborative Action Research Developing the Product: Forming the Collaborative Action Research Team Summary Key Terms Case in Point: Developing a Collaborative Action Research Study Activities and Additional Resources APPENDIX A: EXAMPLES OF ACTION RESEARCH REPORTS Examining the Impact of Readers’ Theater on Struggling Readers’ Fluency Levels Using an Investigation Model in Ninth-Grade Science Class: Impact on Lower-Level Readers APPENDIX B: POTENTIAL PUBLICATION OUTLETS FOR ACTION RESEARCH GLOSSARY INDEX