ACTION RESEARCH

INTRODUCTION

            Action research meant for arriving at a scientific solution for the complicated problematic situation. Action research may be said to be research of teacher for the teacher and by the teacher.

            Action research is a method for improving and modifying the working system of a classroom and a school. It is an objective oriented method. The action research projects do not contribute to the found of knowledge but it improves and modifies the correct practices. The concept of action research is old but Stephen.M.Corey has applied this concept in the field of education. “Action research is a process for studying problems by practitioners scientifically to take decision for improving their current practices-Stephen.M.Coroy.” “Research concerned with school problems carried on by school personal to improve school practice is action research- S.Bachwell.” “Action research is organized, investigate activity, aimed toward the study and constructive change of given endeavor by individual or group concerned with change and improvement- M.C.Threte.”

            The concept of action research is based on the assumption that worker of the organization has the capacity to solve problems and take decisions. The practitioner can only solve the problem. He will be efficient when he is given freedom of improving and modifying his practice. The origin of this research can be traced back to sociology. Curt Lewin explains life space in terms of person and goal. There is a barrier in between person and goal. He has to overcome it. It depends on the abilities of person to achieve the goal. This concept is being used in education since 1926.

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF ACTION RESEARCH

The peculiarities of action research with special reference to a practicing teacher includes-

1.      Action research in education is concerned with school problems and carried on by school personal to improve school practices.

2.      Compared with other kind of educational research, it is simple and easier to conduct. Action research aims at gathering evidences and strategies for the solution with respect to specific problems.

3.      Action research is organized, investigative activity aimed towards the study leading to constructive change required for the qualitative improvement of work of the specific endeavor concerned especially when problematic situation arise.

4.      It is research designed to find solution for a fee problem that demands investigation and have direct application in the setting in which the research is conducted.

5.      Action research is a type of applied research or decision oriented research. The researcher is the practitioner himself who will take a decision and enjoy its benefit.

6.      Action research is undertaken to solve an immediate practical problem that cannot be solved by ordinary strategies. The goal of adding to scientific knowledge is only secondary or even tertiary.

OBJECTIVES OF ACTION RESEARCH

Action research projects are conducted for achieving the following objectives.

1.      To improve the conditions of various infra structural facilities of an educational instruction.

2.      To develop scientific attitude among teachers whereby they are motivated to study problems scientifically before taking decisions about complicated issues.

3.      To bring excellence in the working style of the institution.

4.      To develop the ability and insight among administrative to improve and modify institutional conditions with a scientific outlook.

5.      To root out the conservative and static environment prevailing in most educational institutions.

6.      To make the educational system capable of generating a healthy environment conducive to learning

7.      To raise the level of performance and the level of aspiration of the students.

KEY POINTS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF WHILE DOING ACTION RESEARCH

1.    

  Ensuring empirical support, authenticity and hence acceptability to the action taken by a practitioner in a situation involving an issue, the solution for which was not evident.

2.      Arriving at feasible and fruitful from the consequences of changes.

3.      Working out self reflective cycles of planning, implementing, observing, reflecting and re planning.

4.      Adoption of participatory, collaborative strategies.

5.      Gathering evidences to decide whether ideas assumptions and previous practices have been false or incorrect.

6.      Have open mindedness critical attitude towards issues and their solutions.

 STEPS INVOLVED IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH

1.      Identification of the problem

A teacher should be sensitive towards job related tasks and problems concerned. The problem should be need based. It must be really interested in the problem. It must arise from his own experience. It must be specific and limited in scope.

2.      Pinpointing the problem

After identifying the problem it should be defined to get goal and action could be specified. If the problem is related to teaching and learning, it is to be localized in terms of class, subject, group that has felt the problem and the nature of the puzzle felt by the teacher.

3.      Analyzing the causes of the problem:

The causes of the problem are to be analyzed with the help of the theory, previous experiences, preliminary evidences etc. The nature of the cause also is to be analyzed in order to determine whether it is under the control or beyond the control of an investigator. This will help in formulating action hypothesis. Success of any action research depends upon the correct diagnosis of the causes.

4.      Formulating action hypothesis

This involves individual commitment to some definite action leading to the solution of the specific problem. The basis of formulating action hypothesis is the causes of the problem experienced by the investigator. The statement of action hypothesis consists of two aspects action and goal.

5.      Development of a design for testing the action hypothesis

The design is developed for testing the entire important action research hypothesis. Some actions may be taken and their results observed. If a hypothesis is not accepted a second design is developed for testing another hypothesis. The design of action research is flexible and can be designed at any time according to the convenience of the investigation. It is desirable to design a well thought out plan of action including a time schedule.

6.      Drawing conclusion

Accepting or rejecting an action leads to certain conclusions. The conclusion indicates some prescription for solving the particular problem that has provoked and necessitated the investigator to explore. The conclusions are meant to make decisions regarding actions to be taken for modified and improving the current practices concerned with a view to solve the problems that led to the action research.

CONCLUSSION

                        The research of theoretical nature requires more expertise, time money, and labor on the part of the researcher. This is because of its scope is very broad and the findings of such a project are expected to be conducted and have general applicability over a wide population. When an action research is conducted it is conducted for a class and does not found more complicated as the problem is arising always from a class room and a very small sample. Conclusion can also be derived easily from the analysis. Action research helps the teacher to develop their innate ability.

REFERENCES

1.      Trends and developments in modern educational practices-

Dr.K.Sivarajan

2.      Teacher and education in Indian society- An introductory perspective-

Prof.Annamma Abraham.