This document discusses using action research for personal professional development. It explains that action research allows teachers to holistically investigate an area of their practice by identifying aspects to improve, implementing changes, and evaluating the results in an ongoing, cyclical process. The document contrasts mini projects, which focus on single items with short-term investigations, and long-term investigations that allow for exploring multiple topics simultaneously. Finally, it provides an example walkthrough of a mini-project on assessing learning and references for further reading on action research and professional development frameworks.