Action Research Today

Action research or administrative inquiry is a powerful tool that can be used by anyone wanting to improve their leadership skills and abilities. I have learned that action research is a professional development that is long term, planned, and job-embedded. This process allows administrators to engage in systematic, intentional study of their own administrative practice. That being said, the administrator is able to take action based on what they have learned or discovered from the research or inquiry. Action research or administrative inquiry is continual with reflection and action. It involves diagnosing the problem, formulating an action plan, implementation of the plan, evaluation of the effectiveness, clarifying, reflection, and then repeating all necessary steps. Reflection is a vital step in the action research process and is also an important leadership skill. The skill of reflection allows the administrator to analyze prior experiences that will result in a better understanding of the course of actions. Leaders need to be able to have the end product in mind while making adjustments along the way. After reflection and re-evaluation, decisions or actions may need to be tweaked or discarded. In my opinion, administrative inquiry or action research is much more personal and important to the development of the administrator than traditional educational research.