This accessible, pragmatic text shows educators step by step how to conduct classroom- and school-based studies to improve instructional practices. The book presents methods and strategies for implementing each stage of the action research cycle, providing balanced coverage of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Readers learn how to: select and define a research topic; develop a literature review; choose a design; formulate data collection strategies; design and/or evaluate assessment tools; and interpret, analyze, and report study results. Helpful examples and vignettes depict a variety of real-world teaching and learning situations, school subjects, and age groups (PreK-12).
User-Friendly Features
*Exercises and activities in every chapter.
*Checklists, guidelines, and templates that enable busy educators to self-assess the progress and quality of their studies.
*Example boxes illustrating the components of an action research report.
*Summary tables highlighting key aspects of different research strategies.
*Chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading.
