Action Research

According to Dana, “administrative inquiry refers to the process of a principal engaging in systematically, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry. Inquiring professionals seek out change and reflect on their practice by posing questions or “wondering,” collecting data to gain insights into their wonderings, analyzing the data along with reading relevant literature, making changes in proactive based on new understandings developed during inquiry, and sharing findings with others” (Dana 2009) To me, action research or administrative inquiry is a tool that school administrators use to improve their campuses. It is basically field based, situation-specific research to solve a problem. Administrators begin a study of their own administrative practices and make changes based on their findings. One could find an area that could be strengthened and focus on it. Then come up with a plan of action to correct it. Implement it and begin the process all over again with a newly discovered area of need.


Action research is effective if you implement it correctly. As an administrator, I plan to use it with Professional Learning Communities. After teachers have identified areas that our school needs to improve, they will become active problem solvers. This will give my staff a chance to work closely with one another and look closely at data.

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.