What in the world is action research?

In a nut shell, action research is taking ownership of your own learning. How many of you have participated in professional development workshops where the speaker is telling you all kinds of good ideas and advice, but you walk away with the feeling that it did not exactly relate to your current problem? Or have you read journal articles that involved the researchers crunching numbers from a controlled sub group of students? Do you seek change within your school? Action research is the base for changes in schools. This approach is different than the traditional approaches because you are making decisions and finding solutions that directly relate to your identified problem. Action research is a organized way to solve problems. This proactive approach to research is centered around the data you collect, investigations you make, collaboration with staff within your school, and the all important...self reflection. In my opinion, the best thing about action research is that the change you are seeking or the new learning you are hoping for is based on an observed problem within your school. Yes, you identify the problem...collect the needed information....create the perfect solution. This method will also allow school leaders to take time within the hectic school day to deliberate and consciously work on problems that reside within the campus.