Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators, Seventh Edition introduces both beginning and experienced educators to the process of designing and conducting classroom-based action research. This practical text focuses on research methods and procedures that educators can use in their everyday instructional practices, classroom activities, and school procedures.
Craig A. Mertler is currently an Associate Professor of Action Research and Quantitative Methods at Barry University in Miami, Florida. He began his career as a high school biology teacher. He has been an educator for 37 years-27 of those in higher education at Bowling Green State University, the University of West Georgia, Lynn University, Arizona State University, and Barry University, and 12 years as an administrator (department chair, doctoral program director, and education dean). Over his career, he has taught courses focused on the application of action research to promote educator empowerment, school improvement, and job-embedded professional development, as well as classroom assessment, research methods, and statistical analyses. He has served as the research methodology expert and/or chair on more than 120 doctoral dissertations and master's theses. He is the author of 28 books, 9 invited book chapters, and 25 refereed journal articles. He has also presented more than 40 research papers at professional meetings around the country, as well as internationally. He has also delivered 25 invited presentations, including numerous keynote addresses and international addresses. He conducts workshops for in-service educational professionals (at all levels) on classroom-based action research and on the topics of classroom assessment and assessment literacy, as well as data-driven educational decision making. His primary research and consulting interests include classroom-based action research, data-driven educational decision making, professional learning communities, and classroom teachers' assessment literacy. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing golf and traveling with his family. Dr. Mertler can be reached at craig.mertler@gmail.com for consulting, professional development, and speaking engagements. Additionally, you can visit his website at www.craigmertler.com.
Part I * What Is Action Research? Chapter 1 * Introduction to Action Research Chapter 2 * Overview of the Action Research Process Part II * How Do I Begin My Action Research Study? Chapter 3 * Planning for Action Research and Reviewing Related Literature Chapter 4 * Developing a Research Plan Part III * What Do I Do With All These Data? Chapter 5 * Collecting Data Chapter 6 * Analyzing Data Part IV * I've Got Results! . . . Now What? Chapter 7 * Next Steps and Future Cycles: Developing an Action Plan Chapter 8 * Writing an Action Research Report Chapter 9 * Sharing and Reflecting Appendix A. Sample Action Research Report: Differentiated Spelling: Using Small Group Instruction Appendix B. Sample Action Research Report: Implementing Personal Devices in Math Appendix C. Action Research Developmental Templates Glossary References Index
"This is by far the finest textbook on this topic available." -- Bill Morelan "Excellent. Well organized and easy to follow. Students can use this book to learn and professors can use it to set up their courses." -- Angelo J. Letizia
