The Many Faces of Action Research

• In Event: The Development of Teachers: Support From Preservice Through In-Service

Abstract

The field of instructional supervision has in recent years embraced action research as a function of supervision. Although action research is often discussed in the supervision literature as a single entity, there are several different models of action research that can assist in the improvement of instruction, including pragmatic action research, appreciative inquiry, and collaborative autobiography. This paper presents case studies on six different types of action research conducted or facilitated by supervisors, documenting the research process, problems encountered, and benefits resulting from each type of research. The paper also will discuss the potential for matching different types of action research with different individuals, teams, and schools, and with different situations and instructional improvement goals.

Author

• Stephen P. Gordon, Texas State University-San Marcos