What I learned about action research

Action research takes educational theories straight out of the pristine pages of a book and puts them to the test, providing educational leaders with the opportunity to develop themselves professionally while allowing them to tackle some of the major challenges within their schools.  Practicing action research requires principals to be reflective about their practice, their philosophies, their schools, their communities as well as the various needs of both.  It also models what authentic, lifelong learning should look like for our staff and students.  Just as we want our students to approach learning with questions in their minds, so the principal questions his or her own practices and engages with the community and campus on a level that challenges the traditional role of the principal as manager (Dana, 2009).
I had always thought of research as the traditional linear practice of raising a question, reading the literature that deals with the question, and formulating a theory based on the findings in the literature.  I found myself getting excited about the cyclical nature of action research which requires these steps:

1.  Setting the foundation (the center of the circle)
2.  Analyzing data
3.  Developing deeper understanding
4.  Engaging in self reflection
5.  Exploring patterns
6.  Determining direction
7.  Taking action
8.  Sustaining improvement

It is a much more thoughtful process which focuses less on finding the solution and more on understanding the problem on a deeper level (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010).  I believe that the nature of the "principal as manager" role required the principal to take the problems brought to him or her and come up with a solution to the problem rather quickly.  Delay in doing so would make a principal seem inept.  Working within the action research framework doesn't just allow a principal to take the time to reflect and question, it requires it.

References

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Corwin Press, a Joint Publication with the American Association of School Administrators.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. P. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.