Offer novice and experienced teachers guidelines for the "how" and "why" to do self-study teacher research Designed to help teachers plan, implement, and assess a manageable self-study research project, this unique textbook covers the foundation, history, theoretical underpinnings, and methods of self-study research. Written in a reader-friendly style and filled with interactive activities and examples, this book helps teachers every step of the way as they plan and conduct their studies. Author Anastasia Samaras encourages readers to think deeply about both the "how" and the "why" of this essential professional development tool as they pose questions and formulate personal theories to improve professional practice. Key Features A Self-Study Project Planner assists teachers in understanding both the details and process of conducting self-study research. A Critical Friends Portfolio includes innovative critical collaborative inquiries to support the completion of a high quality final research project. Advice from the most senior self-study academics working in the U.S. and internationally is included, along with descriptions of the self-study methodology that has been refined over time. Examples demonstrate the connections between self-study research, teachers′ professional growth, and their students′ learning. Tables, charts, and visuals help readers see the big picture and stay organized. Accompanied by High-Quality Ancillaries! A Student Study Site offers a wealth of resources, including additional examples and activities, web-based resources, study questions, and key terms. Intended Audience Self-Study Teacher Research: Improving Your Practice Through Collaborative Inquiry is intended as a core textbook for a wide variety of courses in the education curriculum, including Action Research, Qualitative Research Methods, Research Methods in Education, and the capstone/teacher researcher course required of all early childhood, elementary, and secondary education majors.

Table of Contents:
Preface PART I: THE 6Ws OF SELF-STUDY RESEARCH 1. Understanding Self-Study: What and Why What is Self-Study Teacher Research? What Self-Study Teacher Research is Not Why Conduct Self-Study Teacher Research? Key Ideas 2. Overview of the Self-Study Process: What and How Self-Study Research Project Planner Self-Study Research Project Timeline Self-Study Teacher Research Exemplar Brief 3. The Self-Study Community: When and Where and Who Culture of the Self-Study Community Paradigm Shift Influence, Confluence, and Divergence Important Events in Outgrowth of Self-Study School Critique and Sustainability Key Ideas 4. The Self-Study Research Methodology: Why and How Characteristics of Self-Study Research Five Foci Framework: Methodological Components of Self-Study Research Key Ideas 5. Self-Study Methods: How Choosing a Self-Study Method Challenges in Choosing a Method Key Ideas PART II: YOUR SELF-STUDY PROJECT 6. Design Design Matters Seven Key Design Components Key Ideas 7. Protect Questioning the Ethics of Your Study School Division Review The Role of Professional Organizations Standards of Research Ethics Institutional Review Boards Key Ideas 8. Organize Data Alignment of Data with Question Document Categorize Overlapping Research Phases Key Ideas 9. Collect Data Data Gathering Techniques Alternative Data Gathering Techniques Quantifiable Data Key Ideas 10. Analyze Data Research as a Recursive Act Coding Coding Families Categories and Connections Grounded Theory and the Constant Comparative Method Concept Maps Computer Software Tools Key Ideas 11. Assess Research Quality Multiple Sources of Data Transparency, validation, exemplars, and trustworthiness Reliability Generalizability Key Ideas 12. Write Some Friendly Writing Advice Writing Your Research Report Writing Your Abstract Welcoming Peer Critique Key Ideas 13. Present and Publish The Importance of Presenting Your Research Challenge the Status Quo of Presentations Pointers for Presenting Writing Your Self-Study Proposal Advice for Presenting The Proposal Review Process Advice for Getting Published Key Ideas Closing Remarks Appendix A: Sample of a Self-Study Teacher Research Exemplar Brief Appendix B: Self-Study is Not Just for Classroom Teachers Glossary References Index About the Author