Stages of Action Research Process
Developing a Research Plan
We are still in the planning stage of the action research process, which is the first stage of the process. In this module you will be focusing on the last step in the planning stage:
- Identifying and limiting the topic
- Gathering Information
- Reviewing the related literature
- Developing a research plan
A Look Back: Steps One to Three
Prior to entering the fourth stage, you have:
- Identified your topic
- Gathered information
- Reviewed the related literature
- Designed a research question
The next step is to design the action plan. The plan should be written in enough detail that if another teacher/researcher wanted to they could carry it out in their classroom. The plan describes the activities included in the action plan as well as the length of time required for it.
It is imperative to conceptualize the design of a given action research study prior to its initiation.
Practitioner-researchers must carefully consider all aspects of the study to be conducted. These design aspects include not only how data will be collected and analyzed but also how the study will be planned.
The research design is the formal plan for conducting the action research study – the “blueprint” that specifies exactly how the study will be carried out.
