Change Begins with You: What Action Research Is and How to Fund It

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Change Begins with You What Action Research Is
and How to Fund It

• Caroline Herbert, Chairperson NCSLMA Research
  Committee
• October 30, 2008

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What is Action Research?

• According to IMPACT Action research involves
  the in-depth study of ones own classroom or
  school over an established period of time.
• From Action Research A Guide for Library Media
  Specialists Action research is the vehicle the
  library media specialist uses to analyze a
  situation and determine what needs to be done to
  address the issue.

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Traditional vs. Action Research
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Traditional vs. Action Research
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Benefits of Action Research

• Reflective practice leads to the further
  development and improvement of our programs.
• It confirms that our programs promote student
  achievement.
• It is a personal solution to problems in the
  school problem solving at the local level.

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Disadvantages of Action Research

• Data collection does take time.
• Reliability and validity could be concerns.
• No university backing.

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So, How Do I Choose a Topic?

• Whats your itch?
• Does the topic revolve around student
  achievement?
• Is the topic within your professional scope?
• Does it just deal with the library program or the
  school as a whole?
• Reflective writing can be helpful.

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From Itch to Research Question

• Develop a problem statement.
• Brainstorm all of the possible questions.
• Choose the question that most matches what you
  want to achieve.

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Sample Research Questions

• How does a flexible schedule affect student
  achievement?
• How does allowing students to place materials on
  hold affect library use?
• What happens if the circulation period is changed
  from two weeks to four weeks?
• How does Sustained Silent Reading impact
  students love of reading?
• What instruction is needed to increase the use of
  online databases?

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How Will I Collect the Data?

• Collecting data from more than one source
  increases the reliability and validity of the
  study.
• Possible sources of data questionnaires,
  interviews, observations, and archival data.
• Develop data collection methods to focus on your
  research question.

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Questionnaires

• Quick and easy way to gather large amounts of
  data
• Include different types of questions (what do you
  know, what do you think, how do you feel)
• Questions can be open-ended or closed-response
• Avoid leading questions

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Interviews

• You are able to ask clarifying or elaborative
  questions.
• You are able to collect information from those
  who would not or could not fill out a
  questionnaire.
• Can be time-consuming.
• Can unintentionally cause bias in answers due to
  lack of anonymity.

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Observations

• You can actively or passively observe.
• You can use a checklist.
• You can see what is actually happening not just
  what is being reported.
• Data can be videotaped for later study.

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Archival Data

• Examples are data in cumulative folders, student
  test data, circulation statistics, etc.
• Less subjective than other types of data.
• Be careful to uphold the confidentiality of such
  records.

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Determining Outcomes

• Take the analyzed data and plan your next steps.
• How will this research be used to improve
  programs?
• Can this research be generalized to other
  libraries or settings?
• What recommendations can be made based on the
  findings?

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Tooting Your Own Horn

• Share your results!
• Present the results to your staff.
• Share your findings at a district-wide meeting.
• Share your findings at a professional conference.
• Publish your findings in a professional journal.

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OK, I Think Im Ready! Now What?

• The NCSLMA Action Research Grant
• A brief history
• Goal of the program
• The Action Research Grant is up to a 1,000 grant
  to fund the Action Research project of one NCSLMA
  member per school year.

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Action Research Grant Timeline

• Jan. 2009 Request for Proposals is broadcast to
  the NCSLMA membership
• Apr. 2009 Proposals due to the Research
  Committee chairperson
• May 2009 Research Committee reviews and scores
  the proposals
• June 2009 Winner is announced!
• Aug. 2009-May 2010 Project is implemented,
  research conducted
• August 2010 Submit article to NCSLMA newsletter
• November 2010 Present findings at NCSLMA
  conference

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Useful Resources

• Farmer, L.S.J. (2003). How to Conduct Action
  Research A Guide for Library Media Specialists.
  Chicago, IL American Library Association.
• Howard, J.K. Eckhardt, S.A. (2005). Action
  Research A Guide for Library Media Specialists.
  Worthington, OH Linworth Publishing.
• Sykes, J.A. (2000). Action research A Practical
  Guide for Transforming Your School Library.
  Greenwood Village, CO Libraries Unlimited.

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Useful Websites

• Action Research
• http//www.southernct.edu/brownm/act1.html
• Classroom Action Research Overview
• http//mypage.iusb.edu/gmetteta/Classroom_Action_
  Research.html
• David V. Loertschers Website
• http//www.davidvl.org
• Seven Stages in My First Action Research Project
• http//educ.queensu.ca/projects/action_research/mi
  chael.htm

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Questions?

• Ask now!
• Contact me later
• Caroline Herbert, Media Coordinator
• Oak Grove Elementary School
• 3810 Wake Forest Rd.
• Durham, NC 27703
• [phone], ext. 60235
• caroline.herbert_at_dpsnc.net