The Introductory Phase of Action Research - Essay Example

This article has its focuses on the introductory phase of action research and their initial stages are complicated with no clear ideas on how to carry on. Through learning on how other authors have managed this phase can be a suitable guideline when starting new research. This is what has pushed the author into writing the article on how to develop the initial phase. He starts by pointing out the research assumptions hence coming up with a few problems that are anticipated to be appearing at the start of this collaborative study. He later references the approach employed in selecting a school for the research where he also describes how they consulted the proposal as well as informing the school community (Bello, 2006).

During the negotiation and consultations, he had a special focus on matters they had more attention on. He then concludes with the distribution of written materials hence closing the negotiations coinciding with this phase. He then comes up with an appraisal of this process and makes up questions that will ease the growth not only in the initial phase but also in the following studies (Bello, 2006). However, each piece of research has different conditions surrounding it so these conditions are what determine the way a research will occur.

A research project started by the author and his lecturer in March 2000 by having a collaborative action research project running in a school in order to establish the influence it had on teachers’ professional development. Despite the problems bound to experience, they had to make this collaboration happen by taking advantage of the knowledge and time they had to obtain an advantage by working in collaboration (Bello, 2006). With participants in this research having different points of view, it can lead to the acquisition of more knowledge as well as useful skills when commencing other studies, whether separately or in collaboration. In picking a school for their research they followed the criteria same as Stake’s criteria, which focused on schools that offer many opportunities in enquiring new knowledge. For instance, the school they picked was located in Spain because teachers valued teamwork, family participation was encouraged, and it depended on local administration for management (Bello, 2006).

Reflecting on these processes will come in handy as it helps us understand how action research is important in enhancing learning, making up collaborating cultures within institutions, as well as reducing the gap between theory and practice (Bello, 2006). It promoted the interaction of teachers from different schools who shared their experiences and it allowed the participants to be part of an experience that put the action research projects into motion. The teachers’ performance was commending and it would be best to come up with conditions for a better debate because it is what helped them advance faster. Encouraging action research projects in institutions will be beneficial in improving quality and performance as it helps its participants to analyze data as well as improve their practices. In addition, during research, the educational value of the research has less priority compared to efficient and tangible results generated. Therefore, for the success of an action research project, one has to put up a plan of action that is efficient in order to lay the foundation for every following work and procedure.