Quality Indicators
Context of Study
This quality
indicator stresses how important background and surrounding information plays a
role in the action research inquiry. It’s important to identify and to be clear
about the context of the inquiry. What are the characteristics of the school in
which the inquiry is taking place? Who is participating in the research and
what data do we know about them? What curriculum, culture, or vision is
pertinent to the inquiry? What is the goal of the inquiry and where does the
research come from? These are all important questions that I need to ask as I
complete my research inquiry.
I need to make sure
that I include information about my school, the teachers the students the
community, etc. to help identify any underlying factors. Making sure that I
continually evaluate my context of study will help make sure that others will
be able to understand why I began the research, how it applies to my specific
situation, and how others might transfer some of the same information to their
situations. If the context is clear and complete information is provided in the
action research inquiry then others will be able to possibly apply the outcomes
research to their own circumstances (Dana, 2009, p. 179-180).
Wonderings(s) and
Purpose
This quality
indication focuses on where the question originated and how it originated.
Importance is placed on focusing the question on an administrator’s own
practice. A principal-researcher should not be researching already known
material and should not be researching for the benefit of others. The research
inquiry should be “clearly articulated, free of educational jargon, focused
inward, and open ended (Dana, 2009, p. 180.)”
This indicator will
help me focus on my personal wondering and not others. It will prompt me to ask
the necessary questions to keep my inquiry focused and appropriate to
literature and other research in the same field. Answering the suggested
questions in my research inquiry will reassure that I have provided enough
information that others will understand what led me to the wondering or
inquiry. Providing this information will help others understand what “tension,
dilemma, issue, or problem of practice” let me to my inquiry (Dana, 2009, p.
180). This indicator will show others my determination and passion for my topic
in professional development and the interest of helping the teachers succeed at
my school.
Principal Research
Design (Data Collection and Data Analysis)
This quality indicator
is stressing the validity of data collection and analysis. When conducting a
research action project, it is imperative to use quality data. The researcher
must explain what form of data was collected and used as well as how the
researcher analyzed the data. The strategies for data collection and analysis
must be thoroughly explained in the project and must be logical sources of data
for the inquiry.
Evaluating my data
collection sources as well as my data analysis strategies will help me focus on
getting accurate, up-to-date, credible information. The suggested questions
will help focus my efforts to collect valid and helpful information instead of
fluff that is often found in sources today. The evaluation of my data
collection and analysis will also help me to create a timeline of collection
throughout the research project. This will help my project run smoothly and
stay on schedule (Dana, 2009, p. 181-182).
Principal-Researcher
Learning
This indicator is
talking about the importance of articulating the researchers learning. The
researcher needs to provide statements and reflections about the action
research project. Each statement needs to be supported with data and needs to
be explained in great detail. Conflicting arguments can be presented here but they
need to be supported with data with as much data as possible.
This inquiry will be
the one that helps me to be most focused and organized. By evaluating my
learning throughout the project, I will focus on the facts and data driven
conclusions thru my observations and surveys. I will evaluate my personal
reflections and make sure they are critical to my inquiry. I will also focus on
relating all data, experiences, and readings to the action research project and
process (Dana, 2009, 182-183).
Implications for Practice
Evaluating my implications for practice will help
evaluate the change that is possible with the outcome of my action research
project. Providing details of the changes that have or will take place is
critical throughout the process. Anyone who is following my blog will also
benefit from my changes and notes. The changes should all be based on research
and outcomes of the action research project.
As I complete the research project, I will keep a
list of wonderings and questions that are brought up by my experiences,
research, and literature. This will help me in the future with possible
additional action research projects or wonderings as I grow in my leadership
roles.
Dana,
N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action
researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Pre
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