Description
Book SynopsisAppropriate for novice and experienced educators alike, this indispensable book explains how practitioner research can be used to solve instructional problems and improve student achievement.
Trade Review"I plan to use this book with district administrators, building administrators, and building staff. All would find it an excellent tool for bringing about change in their organizations. It is infinitely readable, meaningful, and very useful." -- Linda L. Elman, Director, Research & Evaluation
"The material on the research process and the examples are terrific. Steps are clearly spelled out and practical suggestions hit the major problems teachers encounter in attempting research for the first time." -- Mildred Murray-Ward, Assistant Provost for Assessment/Professor of Education
"This is not a theoretical book, but a hands-on resource that shows school leaders how to use action research to solve problems. (It) is a perfect guide for anyone attempting research. I found it easy to read and easy to understand." -- Dr. Rose Weiss, Adjunct Lecturer
"(With) more schools...operating as "learning communities," this is an excellent tool for schools conducting action research in their own settings. I also feel this text would be ideal for graduate students enrolled in advanced level courses in program evaluation, teacher research, and curriculum assessment. The...book is easy to read, has lots of practical advice and examples, and should appeal to the seasoned as well as the novice researcher." -- Roxana M. Della Vecchia, Ph.D., Professor/Assistant Dean
"This book makes a new contribution to the literature on educational change (and) describes exciting and powerful ways for educators to plan for changes in school management and classroom practices." -- Marie Clay, Professor Emeritus
"Drawing on principles of organizational learning and methods of practitioner research, Viviane Robinson’s Problem-Based Methodology is the result of many years of work with principals and teachers. This book is theoretically sophisticated, yet provides practical advice for implementing the method." -- Gary Anderson, Professor, Administration Leadership and Technology
"Advisors with a passion for improving student learning and achievement will find that they have much in common with Robinson and lai. These authors are ardent about the use of problem-based methodology (PBM) by teachers and school leaders to investigate, examine, and test their practices and implicit theories. Those interested in implementing PBM will find that the book gives precise instruction, including outlines, details, and summaries supported by real examples of success." -- NACADA Journal, Spring 2007
Table of ContentsPreface About the Authors Part I: The Need for Practitioner Research 1. Educators as Researchers 2. Tailoring Research to Solve Problems 3. Collaborating to Improve Practice 4. Combining Rigor and Respect Part II: Doing Practitioner Research 5. Planning Your Research 6. Purposeful Information Gathering: Interviews and Questionnaires 7. Purposeful Information Gathering: Observations and Other Data Collection Methods 8. Purposeful Data Analysis 9. Communicating Your Research Part III: Practitioner Research and School Improvement 10. Integrating Practitioner Research Schoolwide References Index
