This book covers the background, process, and tools needed to introduce and guide students through to a successful action research (AR) project. Included are how to initiate, plan, and complete AR within all types of organizations in business, nonprofit, and public administration. Graphic organizers and a modular sequence of topics help students manage the steps involved in AR practice. A protocol for weekly report writing, informed consent documentation, and clear guidelines for final analyses and report writing give graduate students the efficient format they need. This book teaches theory by interweaving discussion of the major content areas and stories of student success with the concepts that impact practice.
Dr. E. Alana James, received her Ed.D. in educational leadership from Teachers College in 2005. Since then she has helped over 30 doctoral candidates in either educational leadership or business move through the process on to graduation. Working primarily as supervisor for a number of online for profit universities, but also sometimes in the role of committee member, she identified the key places and challenges that created extra stress and, unfortunately, sometimes breakdown. This book and her work developing DoctoralNet.com is in reaction to those difficulties and will, with adoption, increase graduation rates for those working towards a PhD or other type of doctoral degree. You can follow DoctoralNet on twitter, facebook or Google +. Dr James also specializes in action research and has used that transformative process throughout the development of the techniques and strategies outlined herein. Information about her other books can be found on the website for Sage Publishing. A believer in the doctoral process as a rite of passage that releases the greatest potential in life, she reinvented her own life to move half way around the world from where she began. Living in Ireland with her partner, their two dogs and a cat she authors nonfiction work on health and wellness on her personal website at ealanajames.com where you can connect with her as a writer, a consultant or speaker. Tracesea Slater, M.A. is the Director of Strategy at DoctoralNet.com where she works with Dr. James to raise graduation rates by assisting doctoral students to finish their dissertations. Tracesea's main areas of research interest are education, disadvantaged populations and youth development. Her research experience includes work as the Manager of Research and Evaluation at a nonprofit serving homeless youth in Denver, CO. She also has done research and program evaluation in the fields of education and health care at a social research company. Tracesea's academic experience includes work as a sociology instructor at the University of Colorado and Colorado Technical University.
Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Introducing the Three Steps of Action Research: A Tool for Complex Times and Situations Chapter 2: The Proposal and Ethics Chapter 3: What to Do and How to Do It... Chapter 4: Methods and Measurement Chapter 5: Working With People and Groups Chapter 6: Networks and How to Employ Them for Change Chapter 7: Analyzing and Reporting Results Chapter 8: Final Touches and Emancipatory Potential Appendix A: Action Research Proposal Outline Appendix B: Example of Student Answers to Proposal Questions Appendix C: Student Proposal Appendix D: Action Research Weekly Report Appendix E: Table for Measurable Actions Appendix F: Year-Long Guide for Networked Action Research Appendix G: Model Informed Consent
This book bridges the gap between theory and applied action research offering concrete tools that should be invaluable for anyone who wants to practice action research. -- Joanne C. Preston
