Action research, also known as administrative inquiry, is, “The process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns a result of the inquiry.” (Dana, 2009) Action research is a way for principals to basically develop their own professional development to research, analyze, and review the needs of their own campus. The principal becomes an active, engaging member of their campus, collaborating with their staff and other principals to assess their own campus issues and resolving them.
“Inquiry is investigating in a systematic way. Inquiry is examining data, asking questions, and requesting more information.” (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010) The authors of Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools, made a wonderful analogy between the action research approach that administrators take and the systematic approach that doctors use to help diagnose their patients. Just like doctors look at many different aspects to come up with a diagnosis, principals must use inquiry to attain overall success for their campus.
Inquiry can be used as a professional development tool to allow principals to research, evaluate, and implement solutions for their own campus needs and issues.
Action research differs from traditional research in that action research allows for the principal to take action for their own specific needs. Traditional research, as that used in a professional development workshops, has someone else researching schools issues and telling principals how they should solve these issues. Action research lets the individual principal seek out his/her own campus needs and collaborate with their own staff to find the best ways to improve student and staff success.
Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.
Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools. Larchmont, New York: Eye on Education.
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