Action Research
Action research is not simply problem solving; it involves the specification of a problem, the development of something new (in most cases), and critical reflection on its effectiveness (Mertler, 2017).
Background
Action research is a term that I was not familiar with until recently. However, after diving into Action Research : Improving Schools and Empowering Educators by Dr. Craig A. Mertler, I realized that the basic premise was something that many of us already do in our everyday practice. While our processes may not be as sophisticated as the formal approach outlined in the book, we are often looking for practical solutions to specific problems. That's where action research can help. Below, you will find my action research outline which I hope to implement in order to answer a specific question that I have in regard to my ePortfolio research.
Action research is not the simple implementation of predetermined answers to educational questions; it explores, discovers, and works to find creative solutions to educational problems (Mertler, 2017).
Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images
Outline
Focus
Use of student created ePortfolios as a job-seeking tool.
Purpose
To determine how at-risk, non-traditional adult learners and workforce development professionals perceive ePortfolios as a job-seeking tool.
Research Question
How is the ePortfolio as a job-seeking tool perceived within at-risk, non-traditional adult learner populations and the workforce development field?
Research Design
The research design is qualitative as my goal is to identify the root of the problem by engaging, interviewing, and surveying ePortfolio users and workforce development professionals to collect data on their personal experiences and perceptions.
Data
In order to assess overall attitudes and perceptions toward ePortfolio use as a workforce development tool, various data will be collected via focus group discussions, in-person interviews, and online survey responses.
Measurement
The collected data will be transcribed, compiled, and coded in a spreadsheet in order to identify common themes and trends. Having a consistent method of coding qualitative data will provide much needed structure to a process that may appear messy and unorganized to the uninitiated (Yi, 2018).
Focus of Literature Review
The literature review will introduce the reader to what an ePortfolio is (including its history, current uses, and future outlook), the effectiveness of use within a broad adult learner base, and its value as a vehicle for lifelong learning. Concerns on the limited availability of literature in the field will be addressed and the scope of this current research will be defined. The primary focus of the literature review will be to research the perceptions of ePortfolio use as a job-seeking tool within at-risk, non-traditional adult learner populations and the workforce development field. As there is little research available on this particular subject, I expect this review to add to the existing body of literature.
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
References
Mertler, C. A. (2017). Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators (Fifth ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Yi, E. (2018, July 23). Themes Don't Just Emerge - Coding the Qualitative Data. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@projectux/themes-dont-just-emerge-coding-the-qualitative-data-95aff874fdce
Yi, E. (2018, July 23). Themes Don't Just Emerge - Coding the Qualitative Data. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@projectux/themes-dont-just-emerge-coding-the-qualitative-data-95aff874fdce
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