Action research is a reflective and collaborative inquiry aimed at solving practical challenges in education through systematic investigation. It involves educators identifying areas for improvement, implementing interventions, and assessing their effectiveness to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. The process includes designing studies, collecting data, analyzing results, and adjusting educational practices to meet learner needs.

1. 1
Discussion 2: Definition and Practical Applications of Action
Research
Action research is a commonly used form of inquiry in the field
of education. The goal is to allow practitioners to effect
continuous process improvement. Since action researchers are
active participants, their investigations must be relevant to their
practice.
Defining Action Research
An examination of different definitions of action research
reveals some core characteristics of this form of inquiry. Action
research focuses on providing practical solutions to everyday
challenges in a practitioner’s area of work. Action researchers
collaborate with others to effect changes that aim at improving
the current conditions or processes in their place of practice
(Mills, 2014). Based on these characteristics, I define action
research as
“A reflective and collaborative systematic inquiry aimed at
identifying challenges relevant to a researcher’s everyday
practice, generate practical solutions, and actively engage in
effecting the solutions aimed at improving conditions or
processes and contributing to knowledge in the area.”
Hence, the process examines arising issues. An understanding of
such a concept does not only elaborate on the task context but
also aids teachers in accomplishing their objectives.
Action research helps educators to define and achieve
professional goals, as well as refine their practice in several
ways. It enables them to identify areas of improvement, develop
appropriate interventions, work with others to implement the
programs, and make relevant modifications to their processes.
The reflective aspect of action research and its applications
improves educators’ ability to implement best practices that

2. match their needs and those of learners.
Practical Applications of Action Research
Action research can provide educators with solutions to
questions that affect their everyday practices. For instance,
suppose I recently implemented a program for enhancing the
reading skills of learners in a seventh grade, I can apply various
aspects of action research, including systematic inquiry,
reflection, and collaboration, to identify the different ways in
which the program affects students. In this research, I will
actively involve myself with the learners to observe how they
respond to the program, identify areas that need improvements,
and implement appropriate actions by commencing with relevant
plans and designs.
Designing and Action Research
The success of any research is contingent on its design. Action
research can be thought of as a four-stage process that involves
identifying a focus area and questions, collecting data,
analyzing and interpreting data, and developing a plan of action
(Gerstein, 2008; Mills, 2014). In this section, the steps are
applied in designing a study for assessing the effects of the
reading program. Efficient plans should specify a central area
and aim to solve the identified problem.
Area of Focus
The study will describe the impacts of a literacy for improving
the reading outcomes of elementary school learners. It will
focus on the effects of the program on skill application,
achievement, and self-efficacy of seventh-grade learners. The
research questions will be:
(i) How does the implementation of a literacy program affect
learners’ ability to apply the skills taught to their courses?
(ii) How does the implementation of a literacy program affect
learners’ overall achievement?
(iii) How does the implementation of a literacy program affect
learners’ self-efficacy?
Data Collection
For skill application and self-efficacy, I will watch and listen to

3. students as they read different texts in their ordinary learning
setting. During this exercise, I will collect information on their
reading fluency, speed, accuracy, confidence, and other relevant
variables. I will supplement self-efficacy data by interviews on
the participants’ belief in their ability to improve and attain
higher performances in reading and other subjects. Data on
overall achievement will be the learners’ grades in all
disciplines throughout the study period for easy analysis.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Quantitative and qualitative techniques will be employed to
analyze the collected data. The former will involve descriptive
statistics, mainly averages, and percentages, and will be used to
track the changes in grades. Qualitative data obtained through
interviews and observations will be subjected to thematic
content analysis to identify specific areas in which the program
is relevant or not applicable. Processed information will guide
on decision actions needed.
Developing an Action Plan
The ultimate goal of action research is to effect changes that
lead to continuous improvement. The findings of the study will
determine the actions that should be implemented. The
possibilities include continuing, terminating, or modifying the
intervention to match the learners’ needs. Selected solutions
should adequately address the issue under investigation.
Conclusion
Action research can be considered as a form of inquiry in which
the investigator actively engages in developing interventions for
continuous improvement. An example of an action research
project is to assess the impacts of a language skill program on
learners’ performance. The outcome of such a study can help
educators to implement strategies that match their specific
needs and those of their learners.
References
Mills, G. E. (2013). Action research: A guide for the teacher
researcher. Pearson Australia Pty Ltd.

4. Gerstein, J. (2008, Nov 16). Action research: First steps
[Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtV2t2lkgJw&feature=yout
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