What is an Action Research Project?

Action Research Projects are a very specific form of primary research undertaken mostly by education students, although not entirely. The unique nature of such projects is that they change as they go.

Most studies of this kind (theses, dissertations, and so forth) are designed ahead of time, and any deviations are considered problems to be solved. For example, you decide to water a seedling three times a day for ten days, but on the eighth day, the water supply runs out. This is a problem that has to be explained when the results are being discussed. Similarly, you decide to water a seedling three times a day for ten days, but realize after the third day that this is too much water. In a traditional research project, you still water the seedling as many times as you pre-determined in the research design, and then when you discuss the results, you note that this experiment showed that this amount of water is detrimental to the kind of seedling you used.

An action research project would allow you to save that seedling. This is why so many education majors favor this approach, as most of their studies take place in real time, in their classrooms. If the research design calls for in-class discussions only two days out of five, but you can clearly see that your students need four days of discussion instead of two, the action research project format allows you to modify your design (using strict protocols, of course). This way, your students don't have to suffer through your whole study.

Of course, such flexibility can be as challenging as it is liberating. If you are lost in contemplating your action research project, consult with PowerPapers.com today to see how we can help you. Our professional writers have vast experience with such projects, and can provide you with the kind of completed project you need.