Question 1

Which of the following would be the least compelling reason to conduct an action research study?
A) There is a problem in practice
B) There is an important gap in the literature
C) Individuals in the community need to be empowered
D) Professionals need to advance their professional development

Accepted Answer

An important gap in the literature is more relevant for traditional research rather than action research, which focuses on practical problem-solving and community empowerment.

Question 2

Which of the following aspects of a study best fits the participatory action research design?
A) Use of an objective, impersonal point of view
B) Emphasis on quantitative data even if some qualitative is included)
C) Study of teachers
D) Goal of wanting to empower individuals and groups

Accepted Answer

Participatory action research aims to empower individuals and groups by involving them actively in the research process to address issues that affect them directly.

Question 3

The factor that best differentiates action research from narrative research is:
A) Only action research is practical to implement
B) Only educators conduct action research
C) Only action research focuses on practical application
D) Only action research involves the study of a problem

Accepted Answer

Action research is characterized by its focus on practical application and solving real-world problems, whereas narrative research is more about exploring and understanding experiences through storytelling.

Question 4

What criteria below would be least important when evaluating the quality of an action research study?
A) Whether the research addresses a practical problem
B) The validity and reliability of instruments used
C) Whether the research empowers the lives of participants
D) If the results were reported to audiences that could use the information

Accepted Answer

The answer of What criteria below would be least important...

Question 5

Of the factors listed below, which one best distinguishes participatory action research from practical action research?
A) The intent to advocate for individuals in the community
B) The study of problems that need to be solved
C) The use of action plans to address issues
D) The use of quantitative and qualitative data

Accepted Answer

Participatory action research is characterized by its intent to advocate for individuals in the community, involving them actively in the research process, whereas practical action research may not necessarily focus on advocacy.

Question 6

A researcher plans to study how a community supports or does not support a bond issue. This researcher plans to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The intent of this researcher is further to lobby with the city council for better schools for minority children. What type of research design would best suit this study?
A) An advocacy design
B) A participatory action design
C) A mixed methods action design
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher plans to study how a...

Question 7

What is the first step in the dialectic action research spiral that guides practitioner -researchers?
A) Engage in self-reflection while describing the situation, reviewing the literature and developing a plan
B) Complete a summary of findings, and recommended actions, timelines, and resources
C) Collect quantitative and qualitative data while attending to issues of validity, reliability, and ethics
D) Analyze data, develop visual relationships of ideas, and contextualize findings with personal experiences and existing literature

Accepted Answer

The first step in the dialectic action research spiral is to engage in self-reflection while describing the situation, reviewing the literature, and developing a plan. This initial phase sets the foundation for the research by understanding the context and planning the approach.

Question 8

If you were to engage in an action research project, where would you start?
A) With the problem that needs to be addressed
B) With data collection of quantitative and qualitative information
C) With a plan for research
D) Any of the above

Accepted Answer

Any of the above is correct because action research is a cyclical process that can start with any of the steps listed.

Question 9

Describe what it means that action research is often a dynamic process.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe what it means that action research...

Question 10

Sally is a third grade teacher who is also the classroom coordinator of a new student teacher, Sam. Sam is in his fourth year in the teacher education program, and he has recently joined Sally’s class to gain experience in teaching. Sam immediately faces problems in the classroom. It seems that he easily loses control of the students and this loss of control leads to further acting up. It is embarrassing for Sally who hears from other teachers that she is having a “free for all” in her room whenever Sam teaches.

Sally would like to study her own classroom and make some changes to help Sam become a better teacher
-With Sam, Sally meets after school and discusses the issue of loss of control in the classroom and invites him to participate in an action research project. This phase of action research is…
A) Collaborating with others
B) Collection of data
C) Identification of a problem
D) Development and implementation of an action plan

Accepted Answer

Sally and Sam are identifying the problem of loss of control in the classroom, which is the first step in the action research process.

Question 11

Which of the following are reasons why action research is sometimes criticized as lacking scientific rigor?
A) The study of an educational issue
B) Methods are adapted and changed and somewhat informal
C) Results are typically not reported to scholarly journals
D) The data includes quantitative and qualitative information

Accepted Answer

Methods are adapted and changed and somewhat informal

Question 12

Sally is a third grade teacher who is also the classroom coordinator of a new student teacher, Sam. Sam is in his fourth year in the teacher education program, and he has recently joined Sally’s class to gain experience in teaching. Sam immediately faces problems in the classroom. It seems that he easily loses control of the students and this loss of control leads to further acting up. It is embarrassing for Sally who hears from other teachers that she is having a “free for all” in her room whenever Sam teaches.

Sally would like to study her own classroom and make some changes to help Sam become a better teacher
-Sally observes Sam teaching several periods in the third grade room. She also asks Sam to write down in a personal journal his feelings about what is occurring in the classroom during the periods he is teaching. Student tests on the material Sam teaches are also reviewed. This phase of action research is…
A) Analysis of the data
B) Identification of a problem
C) Collection of data
D) Collaborating with others

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sally is a third grade teacher who...

Question 13

Which of the following would be an inappropriate use of practical action research studies?
A) Study of a local problem
B) Inquiry by an individual practitioner, such as a teacher
C) Attempt to generate a theory about a process
D) Focus on professional development

Accepted Answer

Practical action research is typically used to address specific, local problems or improve practices, not to generate broad theories.

Question 14

To change a mixed methods research study into an action research study calls for
A) Mixing the quantitative and qualitative data less in the study
B) Focusing the study more on developing a plan to solve a problem
C) Placing more action into the research plan
D) Using essentially the same multiple forms of data collection

Accepted Answer

Focusing the study more on developing a plan to solve a problem is the key characteristic of action research.

Question 15

What is another name for practical action research designs?
A) Problem-based research
B) Applied research
C) Teacher inquiry
D) Community-partner research

Accepted Answer

Teacher inquiry is another name for practical action research designs, as it involves educators systematically investigating their own practice to improve teaching and learning.

Question 16

In an action research study, a researcher would like to collaborate with individuals on the project. What is the least likely reason for this collaboration?
A) To equally share the rewards from publication of the study
B) To share the practical findings widely
C) To try not to marginalize the participants more
D) To obtain research expertise not possessed by the inquirer

Accepted Answer

Collaboration in action research is typically aimed at enhancing the research process and outcomes, such as sharing practical findings, avoiding marginalization, and gaining expertise. Sharing publication rewards is less likely a primary reason for collaboration.

Question 17

Sally is a third grade teacher who is also the classroom coordinator of a new student teacher, Sam. Sam is in his fourth year in the teacher education program, and he has recently joined Sally’s class to gain experience in teaching. Sam immediately faces problems in the classroom. It seems that he easily loses control of the students and this loss of control leads to further acting up. It is embarrassing for Sally who hears from other teachers that she is having a “free for all” in her room whenever Sam teaches.

Sally would like to study her own classroom and make some changes to help Sam become a better teacher
-Sally decides, based on data, to have Sam implement a "quiet time" when students become uncontrollable. Sally and Sam try out the "quiet time" strategy in the classroom. This phase of action research is…
A) Collaborating with others
B) Identification of a problem
C) Analysis of the data
D) Development and implementation of an action plan

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sally is a third grade teacher who...

Question 18

Match between columns
                        Premises: May examine the situation for injustices
Interpret the issues in greater depth
Developing a plan and setting direction
Typically emphasizes qualitative data
Evaluating effect on meaningful social change
Work with stakeholders to collect and analyze data
Identify priorities for action in collaboration with stakeholders
Work with stakeholders to devise solutions to the problems

Accepted Answer

The Answer of Think and Act and Look is...

Quiz 13: Action Research: Research for Solving Practical Problems

Which of the following would be the least compelling reason to conduct an action research study?

Which of the following aspects of a study best fits the participatory action research design?

The factor that best differentiates action research from narrative research is:

What criteria below would be least important when evaluating the quality of an action research study?

Of the factors listed below, which one best distinguishes participatory action research from practical action research?

What is the first step in the dialectic action research spiral that guides practitioner -researchers?

If you were to engage in an action research project, where would you start?

Describe what it means that action research is often a dynamic process.

Which of the following are reasons why action research is sometimes criticized as lacking scientific rigor?

Which of the following would be an inappropriate use of practical action research studies?

To change a mixed methods research study into an action research study calls for

What is another name for practical action research designs?

In an action research study, a researcher would like to collaborate with individuals on the project. What is the least likely reason for this collaboration?

Below are listed tasks from the Participator action research helix model. Match the task to the appropriate phase. Please note the phases may be used for more than one task.