Action Research

Action research is a great tool to use as a leader.  I believe that by identifying relevant needs for your organization is beneficial to the organization and all of the stakeholders.  Action research allows for collaboration between all stakeholders in an organization.  The group works together as a whole to create change for their organization.  The inquiry involved in action research promotes professional growth for leaders.  Action research creates an alternative to traditional professional development.  It allows stakeholders to work towards a specific goal related to their organization. This makes the professional development more meaningful.  Administrators participating in action research become role models for teachers and students in the organization.  We often hear that as leaders we must lead by example.  An administrator participating in action research lead by showing that learning is done by doing and not telling.  The example that they set for teachers and students creates success in the organization by promoting others to take ownership of their learning.  The change provided by action research is a positive aspect of action research.  Traditional research often inquires what improvements need to made to a program, but action research calls for positive change within an organization.  The changes made based on the action research benefit not only the program, but all those involved in the change process.