Action research and personal theories

Whitehead (1993) writes about using action research to develop one's 'own living educational theories'. He suggests that the cycle of identifying a gap between personal theories and reality in the classroom ('there is something wrong here'), collecting data to understand what is wrong and taking action to improve the situation can lead to adjustment of personal theories and a closer fit with practice. So, for example, you may be trying to use small group teaching as a way to encourage ‘deep’ learning in students. When this does not appear to be happening, modification of practice can lead to a closer fit to this theory.

Whitehead, J. (1993) The Growth of Educational Knowledge: Creating Your Own Living Educational Theories. Bournemouth: Hyde Publications

This website looks at action research in the teaching of English
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/methodology/action_research.shtml