Action Research Overview

Action research is an essential tool for administrators to use for self reflective professional leadership development, as well as implementing research and hypothesis for greater change on their campus. It can begin with a "wondering" about how to improve an on-campus area of concern or how to continue areas to flourish (Dana 2009). The true benefit of action research, with administrator as acting inquirer, is that the campus research is done by the on-campus administrative leader or leaders. Although off-campus university based researchers formulate data and conculsions about how to address certain eduational needs, the data may not reflect the real time needs of the school in question, and address all of it's nuances.  The school's administrators, leaders, and staff are the network who observes the needs of their school and understands the needs of their students. Therefore the action research should take place on-campus. The research can be guided by the principal yet further shared and implemented with the staff. From this collaboration ideas can be generated and conclusions made regrading how to make the best changes for all involved.

One way I am going to use action research is to model for my staff and students the role as life long learner. By sharing this inquiry into my own self development to be a better leader and showing the methods I used for looking into campus improvements, I will inadvertently model this research process for my teaching staff. As Roland Barth states, "Perhaps the most powerful reason for principals to be learners as well as leaders, to overcome the many impediments to their learning, is the extraordinary influence of modeling behavior" (Dana 2009). As I formulate and share my inquiries with my staff and leadership groups, I can further this process by generating my staff to inquire and self reflect on their own teaching methods.
Another way that I can use action research is to personally invest in my own development as a leader. I will need to reflect on my personal actions and the processes I may need to take in order to have a better rapport with my staff, parents of students, and stakeholders. I may need to question myself regarding my leadership style and subsequently find solutions to build a better degree of trust in my leadership ablilities.

 
Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.