What is action research? (Nota Kuliah 1)

Action research is systematic study of attempts to improve educational practice by groups pf participants by means of their own practical actions and own reflection upon the effects of those actions. Action research combines a substantive act with a research procedure; it is action discipline by enquiry,a personal attempt at understanding while engaged in process of improvement and reform.

Action research is different from other types researchers where:

• It is a systematically-evolving process of changing to both researcher and the situations in which he or she works and involves collecting evidence on which to base on reflection.
• It involves problem-posing, not just problem-solving and where motivated by a quest to improve and understand the world by changing it and learning how to improve it from the effects of the changes made.
• It is a research by particular people on their own work to help them improve what they do, including how they work with and for others.
• It is not the scientific method applied to teaching. Action Research is not just about hypothesis-testing or about using data to come to conclusions. It is concerned with changing situations, not just interpreting them. It takes the researcher into view.

Types of Action Research

1. Classroom research - Individual teacher research usually focuses on a single issue in the classroom and may be seeking solutions to problems of classroom management, instructional strategies, use of materials, or student learning.
2. Collaborative action research- Include as few as two teachers or a group of several teachers and others interested in addressing a classroom, common problem shared by many classrooms or department issue.
3. School-wide research - Focuses on issues common to all. For example, a school may have a concern about the lack of parental involvement in activities, and is looking for a way to reach more parents to involve them in meaningful ways.