Value and Validity in Action Research: A Guidebook for Reflective Practitioners

As more teachers undertake action research projects, serious questions need to be raised about the value and validity of these projects. How can teachers ensure that their results are valid Are teachers drawing conclusions supported by data The purpose of this book is to guide teachers through the process of developing questions, designing their methodology, and collecting data so that they can draw trustworthy conclusions and report them accurately and fairly. This book will: Offer an explanation of action research as well as its history, Help the reader to develop a research problem and explore how this problem can be studied, Show teachers how to do a review of literature that will inform the study, Show how to analyze and interpret data. Features: Written in a language that respects the discipline without being overly academic or formal, Four teachers share their experiences in action research, Exercises allow teachers to apply what they are learning in a step-by-step process

Eileen M. Schwalbach works with teachers on action research as the director of the Masters of Arts in Education program at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.