Some Definitions of Action Research

Action research has been written about and debated extensively over the last 60 years, so not surprisingly many definitions have been put forward. Here is a typical selection:

• systematic enquiry designed to yield practical results capable of improving a specific aspect of practice and made public to enable scrutiny and testing.
  http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/research/glossary
• Inquiry-based research conducted by teachers that follows a process of examining existing practices, implementing new practices, and evaluating the results, leading to an improvement cycle that benefits both students and teachers. Synonyms include practitioner research, teacher research, site-based research, and action science.
  http://cs3.wnmu.edu/elearning...
• A (usually cyclic) process by which change and understanding can be pursued at the one time, with action and critical reflection taking place in turn. The reflection is used to review the previous action and plan the next one. (Dick 1997)
  http://www.scu.edu.au/schools...
• Action research is the reflexive process by which educators systematically study their problems in order to guide, correct and evaluate their decisions and actions regarding the improvement of teaching and learning in their individual professional context. http://www.arexpeditions.montana.edu/index.html