Action research is very much an interactive approach to research. Just as the World Wide Web has changed over the years, so has research. For many years, both the web and research methodology were giver/receiver models. Those who were able to posted information to websites (givers) and the rest of us got to read what they posted (receivers). Similarly, scholarly professionals would conduct research on topics of interest to them and publish their findings (givers), and the rest of us read those scholarly papers (receivers) and either changed what we were doing based on the research, or ignored it altogether.
Just as the web has become a free and open exchange of ideas (Web 2.0), action research is a model in which all players have a stake, and a voice, in the questions, actions, and outcomes. Because of this, I like to think of action research as “Research 2.0.” There are many things that teachers and principals do not have control over, such as district, state and national requirements for students. However, action research allows us to look at problems that are specific to our school or classroom, and then reflect and make changes as needed to solve those problems.
As a librarian, research is one of my passions and I have always had an inquiring, reflective nature. I truly believe that when we stop trying to improve ourselves as educators, we stop being effective; action research empowers us to take control of our own professional development to become the best educators we can be. I plan to take my reflective, inquiring nature and apply it to an action research project for a more systematic approach to my own growth as an educator.
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