Administrative inquiry is, " the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of inquiry." (Dana, 2009) Action research is pretty much the same process, but without the specific administrative orientation. It seems to me that an effective leader would improve the professional craft of those around them by modeling "action research" by utilizing "administrative inquiry"! Traditional educational research relies on "outsiders", those not on the actual campus or in classrooms, while action research is conducted by the practitioners themselves. Process-product research is one such tradition whereby teachers and principals implement the findings of "experts" in a transmissive relationship. The other main tradition relies on qualitative or interpretive studies. Most of these are conducted by university researchers whose target audiences are fellow academicians. While these traditions have value and cam provide important insights, they limit the practitioner's role in the research process thereby making it less likely that substantive, lasting improvements will be made.
Without knowing the label ("action research") I have been utilizing this strategy in my professional life ever since I accepted an assignment outside my comfort zone: Adaptive Behavior. I had no idea what it was and didn't have ANY special education background. However, I went about the process of identifying a problem (what in the world is ABU and how do I do it?!?!), gathering information (articles, peers, the students themselves, professional development), planning action (designing classroom and behavioral supports and strategies), taking action (implementing planned action!), assessing outcome and starting over again. By my third year teaching in the Adaptive Behavior Unit, I had a very successful program going with two students ready to leave the support of our program and start their high school career.
Action research should be a tool utilized by every professional. It allows itself to be customized to your particular problem or need because it is an approach and not an end it itself.
Alan, I like your blog. It was great that you used a real world example of what you've been doing to conduct action research without knowing it! I taught in what we called BEP (Behavioral Intervention Program) which is similar to your program. That is certainly a "ripe" field of study for action research. First of all, teacher turnover is so high in that program, it all but cripples the progress made by students. One issue for students with behavioral needs is stability, which they typically lack in their environment outside of school. Researching positive ways to run the program without burning out well-trained, successful teachers is so critical!
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