Description of what I have learned about action research

Administrative inquiry or action research is an incredible tool for principals, administrators and other school leaders which allow them to collect and analyze data that can help him or hear identify areas of their leadership that might need change. This type of inquiry or research empowers the school leader by ensuring that they remain a lifelong learner throughout their careers or lifetime. Administrator inquiry allows school leaders to “take charge of their own professional development, and become the head learner of their school” (Dana, 2009). School leaders should conduct action research to allow some time for self reflection on how effective their leadership is on their campus or district. Administrative research also provides current and updated information for professional development planning. Administrative inquiry is modeled on teacher inquiry which has been proven to be highly effective.

Action research is different from traditional research in that administrative inquiry targets issues or concerns with a real school/district issue within the actual school community, as opposed to school leaders trying to implement the findings of an outside research project into the school or district. Traditional educational research methods conducted by higher level institutions are often detached and foreign when implemented inside a traditional school setting. Although traditional educational research is a valuable tool for connecting ideas between theory and practice, it allows very little, if any, room for those practices or people being studied to actually be involved in the research taking place.

Administrative inquiry allows school leaders to interact and collaborate with colleagues and teachers in a positive manner in order to reach a common goal for the good of the entire school community. Setting the foundation, analyzing data, developing a deeper understanding, engaging in self reflection, exploring patterns, determining direction, taking action and sustaining improvement are the necessary steps that should be taken by the action researcher in order to be successful with their inquiry (Harris, 2010). The action research conducted by an administrator is a great way to model for the school community and can lead to improved school leadership techniques that allow the school community to achieve the vision of the district.