Despite the fact that publishers and policy-makers have had increasing influence over
classrooms it is the teacher who must make decisions on a minute-by-minute basis about what
will help specific students learn. Similarly local administrators must make key decisions at
the school and district level that will best serve particular communities of teachers students
and parents. Action research offers educators and other stakeholders a systematic way to
research and reflect on specific students classrooms schools and communities in order to
solve local problems and improve local conditions. This book offers an overview of various
definitions and perspectives on action research without prescribing any single approach.
Instead key questions are explored: Who conducts action research? Why? How? Possible answers
sketch the many types of possible projects ranging from an individual teacher trying to
improve the experience of a particular student to a group of educators and community members
striving to improve local socioeconomic conditions. The Action Research Primer presents an
accessible but comprehensive introduction to the field providing a basic compass and map for
the interested practitioner. Chapters include a brief historical overview an introduction to
competing research paradigms discussion of key issues that inform project design a
serviceable guide to process and an extensive list of resources pointing to more detail on the
many categories communities and publication outlets of action research.
