FIELD STUDY 1 Learning Episode

Understanding AR
Concepts, Processes and
FS 2 3 Models

SPARK Your Interest

To have a meaningful and successful accomplishment in this FS episode, be sure to read

through the whole episode before participating and assisting in your FS 2 Resource Teacher’s class.
Note all the information you will need and tasks you will need to do before working on this episode.

Target your Intended Learning Outcome

At the end of this Learning Episode, I must be able to:
- Use concepts and processes of action research.
- Identify sample models of AR such as of DepEd,2017; Mc Niff & Whitehead, 2006; and
Nelson,2014.

Clarify Your Task

The definition of action research evolved over time. There is no singular definition of action
research. Anchored on the idea of inquiry by John Dewey several other authors have advanced the
concept of action research. Action research is a type of inquiry that is:

 Practical as it involves making changes to practice.

 Theorical as it is informed by theory and can generate new insights.
 Concerned with change and improvement.

Action research has been embraced in education for its value in transforming school practices
by the practitioners themselves. It is used to address practical problems in the classroom. It is a
process that allows teacher Action Research (TAR) is a method for educational practitioners
(teachers, school leaders) to engage in the assessment and improvement of their own practice. It is a
tool to help classroom teachers consider their teaching methods or to adopt a strategy in order to
solve everyday problem in the school setting.

Here are some questions and answers that you need to know.
1. What are the Core Characteristics of AR (Titchen,2015)?
- Systematic-Like any form of research, it follows a system.
- Rigorous – It has rigor, meaning a strict adherence to the rules of empirical studies.
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 - Reflective – It follows a continuous reflection and action.
- Situational – it is more specific to the location(school) circumstances (teaching and
learning, etc.).
- Participative – AR can be participative where teachers and learners are co-researchers.
- Future-oriented- it seeks solution to the current problem for future improvement.ch
2. Why is Action Research useful to me as a Teacher Researcher?
- AR can help me to learn how to improve my practice as a teacher in terms of teaching
methods, classroom management, preparation of the learning environment, developing
instructional materials and assessment.
- AR can help me learn more about a wider range of research methods that I can use in the
future.
- AR can provide me more space to think deeply about the issues that confront teaching
and learning.
- AR can help me engage with my mentor and peers to enable me to improve my teaching
practices through action research h.
- AR can help me develop new knowledge which is directly related to my area of
specialization.
3. What types of classroom action studies that can I engage in?
- Creating changes in the classroom practices. Example: What changes will daily writing
have on my students?)
- Establishing effects of curriculum restructuring. Example: will the use of mother tongue
enhance the reading skills of my learners. Example: What happens when students get
demotivated?
- Teaching a new process to the students. Example: how can I teach third graders to do
reflection?

MODELS and Guide in CONDUCTING ACTION RESEARCH

-McNiff & Whitehead 2006 (Adaption)
Action Research Cycle The Action Research Process
Identify the problem.
1. Based on observation and noticing, what problematic
situations prevail in the classroom or teaching learning
OBSERVE environment?
2. Which of these problems shall I focus on?
3. What does literature say about this problem? On what theories
or principles I learned before is the problem anchored?
Reflect (Reflection continues all throughout the process.)
1. What do I hope to achieve? What do I intend to change for the
better?
REFLECT
2. Is doing this action research important to improve my
practice?
3. Can I do this alone? Or should I collaborate?
Plan An Action Research Strategy
1. What type of research will I use? Quantitative? Qualitative?
PLAN
2. How will I describe my innovation? Intervention? Strategy?
3. Is my plan doable within the given period of time?
ACT Take Action
1. How do I put my plan into action? How long?
2. How will I gather data or information?
3. What sense or meaning do I get out of the data?
EVALUATE Use Findings

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 1. Where do I apply results to improve practice?
2. Are my findings worth sharing?
Move to Another Cycle
MODIFY 1. Is there a need to modify intervention to get new results?
2. Should I move to another cycle of action research?

Nelson, O 2014 Model

Identify the Problem
1. Based on observation and noticing, what problematic situation
prevails in the classroom or teaching learning environment?
OBSERVE
2. Which of these problems shall I focus on?
3. What does literature say about this problem? On what theories
or principles I leaned before are the problems anchored?
Reflect (Reflection continues all throughout the process.)
1. What do I hope to achieve? What did I intend to change for
the better?
REFLECT
2. Is doing this action research important to improve my
practice?
3. Can I do this alone? Or should I collaborate?
Plan An Action Research Strategy
1. What type of research will I use? Quantitative? Qualitative?
PLAN
2. How will I describe my innovation? Intervention? Strategy?
3. Is my plan doable within the given of time?
Take Action
1. How do I put my plan into action? How long?
ACT
2. How will I gather data or information?
3. What sense or meaning do I get out of the data?

Department of Education (DO 16) 2017 Model

Action Research Key Components Action Research Process
Identify the Problem
1. Why am I doing this?
2. What is the background of my action
I. CONTEXT AND RATIONALE research?
3. What problem/ question am I trying to
II. ACTION RESEARCH
QUESTIONS solve?
4. What do I hope to achieve?

Proposed Plan

1. What do I plan as a solution to the problem

I identified? (Describe.)
III. PROPOSED INNOVATION 2. What innovation will I introduce so solve
INTERVATION AND
the problem?
STRATEGY
(Describe.)
3. What strategy should I introduce?
(Describe)

IV. ACTION RESEARCH Plan of Action Research

METHODS
a. Participants and/ or other Sources 1. Who are to participate? (my students,
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 peers, myself)
2. What are my sources of information?
of Data and Information (participants)
b. Data Gathering Methods
3. How shall I gather information?
c. Data Analysis Plan
4. How will I analyze my data/
information?
Action Research Work Plan

1. What should my work plan contain?

V. ACTION RESEARCH WORK (targets, activities, persons involved,
PLAN AND TIMELINES
timeline cost)
2. How long will I conduct my intervention?
(For reliable results 8 to 12 weeks)
Action Research Cost- (Consider also the
maximum cost if externally funded like DepEd,
VI. COST ESTIMATES
LGUs NGO or personal)

Sharing Results

1. How will I share the result of my action

VII. PLANS FOR DISSEMINATION research? (Publish, Present, Flyers, LAC
AND UTILIZATION
sessions)
2. Can I collaborate with other teachers to
continue or replicate my study?
References

VIII. REFERENCES
1. What reading materials and references are
included in my review of literature?

Revisit the Infographic/s

action research is a dynamic process anchored on Reflection <--> Action Cycle of

Observing, Reflecting, Acting, Evaluating and Modifying.

Figure 1. An Action-Reflection Cycle as Basis for Action Research

Source: McNiff and Whitehead, 2006

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 Action research is a cyclical, recursive process of observe>> reflect>> act>>
evaluate>> modify>> move in new direction is known as action-reflection (McNiff & Whitehead,
2006) in 2011, McNiff defined action research as a form of inquiry that enables practitioners to
investigate and evaluate their work. Before that, Corey in 1953 viewed action research as a
recursive or repeated process, proceeding through spiraling cycle of planning, actions, reflections
and change.
In a similar vein, Nelson, 2014 proposed an action research cycle that starts with
Observe followed by Reflect , Plan and Act which can also go through evaluation and
modification. It also follows a cyclical process.

Figure 2. The Action Research Cycle

Source: Nelson, O. 2014

Participate and Assist

You are now ready to participate and assist!
Understanding fully the concept and the process of Action Research will enable you to
learn and provide the need assistance to your teacher mentor in doing Action Research.

Notice

What concepts have been emphasized in the task and infographics? Give at least four.
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________________

Since the 3 models are all for action research, what are the common elements of the three?

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_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

Analyze

Choose the AR sample Abstract that you submitted in Episode 2.

- Analyze the components vis-à-vis only one model out of the 3 presented.
If you choose to compare with Model A-McNiff & Whitehead, 2006, here are the components.

Title and Author of the Action

Research:
Key Components Entry from your Sample AR
OBSERVE The Problem
REFLECT Reflection
PLAN Plan of Action
ACT Implementation
EVALUATE Findings
MODIFY Recommendation

If you choose to compare with Model B-Nelson, O. 2014, here are the components.
Title and Author of the Action
Research:
Key Components Entry from your Sample AR
OBSERVE The Problem
REFLECT Reflection
PLAN Plan of Action
ACT Implementation

Or if you choose the DepEd Model, 2017, here are the components
Title and Author: (the same as your entry
in Model A)
Key Component Action Research Process
I. Context and Rationale Study Background

II. Action Research Question AR Questions

III. Proposed Innovation,

Describe Innovation/ Intervention/ Strategy.
Intervention Strategy

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 IV. Action Research Methods
a. Participants/Other sources of
Data Describe Action Research Methods.
b. Data Gathering Methods
c. Data Analysis Plan

V. Action Research Work Plan Summarize Action Research Work Plan.

VI. Cost Estimate Write cost estimate.

VII. Plan for Dissemination and

Describe how the results will be shared.
Utilization

VIII. References Write at least 3 references.

What have you understood about the concept of Action Research and how will these be
utilized in your practice?

REFLECT

As a future teacher, is conducting an Action Research worth doing?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

How can AR be useful for every classroom teacher?

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 ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Write Action Research Prompts

Observe
Remembering my classroom observations in FS 1, I noticed that there are many questions that
I raised in my mind. These include:
a. ___________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________________

Reflect
Thinking deeply about those problems, perhaps something must have been done to
solve the problem or answer the question, like:
a. ___________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________________

Plan
Now, that I am in FS 2, I plan to make a plan for my solution to problem
(choose from a, b, c) because

Act
My action will come later, given enough time in FS 2 or during my Teaching Internship.

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