Action Research

It is similar to traditional research in regards to collecting and analyzing data, developing research question, reporting a conclusion. It is a process that integrates practical pursuit, theory and practice, and community-school-based participants to identify practical solutions about a concern.

Below are the following purpose and features of action research:

• Developed in 1940’s by a psychologist Kurt Lewin.

• It is a research process investigating about a problem.

• Aim is to improve teaching and learning.

• Extensive and repetitive process.

• Collaboration of school community including educators, parents, community activists, and university-based colleagues.

• Conducted to lobby changes or change policies.

• Directly benefits school practitioners involved in the research such as educators and the school district itself.

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Traditional Research

• Face-to-face interaction between researcher and the participant.

• Still more effective than most online research.

• Used a lot for qualitative research to capture participant’s emotional reaction.

• Theory development and testing is conducted separately.

• Knowledge in teaching and learning is developed outside schools or not developed by educators.

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Empirical Research

Any research can be quantitative or qualitative with its results. Qualitative (think quality) are observations you can’t really put a number on, while Quantitative (think quantity) are observations that are measurable or have a number value.

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Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables – and generalize results from a larger sample population. Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into usable statistics. Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research. Quantitative data collection methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection methods. Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys – online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations

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Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research.  It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. This data is usually gathered using conversational methods such as interviews or focus groups.  It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research. Qualitative Research is also used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the problem.