Action Research

I learned the differences between traditional research and active research.  I feel that the following quote sums up the main differences between these two types of research.

Dana (2009) wrote the following:

“Rather than someone else telling me what I should be doing to my teachers and to my students, through engagement in inquiry I’m learning with my teachers and with the students in my building by closely taking a really hard look at what I’m already doing what I need to do to change it.” (p. 8)

This quote mentions how traditional research is more passive in nature compared to active research. Active research is more hands on compared to traditional research.  Active research does not take someone’s word about a situation others have experienced in the past, but tries to understand their situation to draw a conclusion about a problem.  An administrator uses active research to look deeper at the situation to consider all the factors that may affect a problem.  The administrator collects data to support or disprove a theory.  Then after analyzing the data a true solution will hopefully present itself. Traditional research is great some of the time, but is not a perfect match for every situation.  Active research relates to current situations that are ever changing.  Action research solves a problem, but traditional research only points out that there may be a problem.  Another point that I learned about research is how administrative inquiries help produce professional growth.  In technology, systems are constantly repaired or upgraded.  Likewise the administrative inquiry helps ask questions about how the school or personnel can be improved continuously.