Research falls into two broad categories, basic research and applied research. A major difference between basic and applied research has to do with the fact that applied research is used to answer a specific question that has direct applications to the real world, while basic research tends not to be applicable to the real world in a direct way, rather it is driven purely by curiosity and a desire to expand our knowledge and enhance our understanding. The main difference between the two types of research is what they will be used for. Will the research be used to help us understand a real world problem and solve it, or will the research further our general information?
Action research is one form of applied research. Action research is used to address a specific problem using the scientific principles of research, however it utilizes less rigorous methodologies than other forms of applied research. Action research is done by people, such as educational leaders, while they are carrying out their professional actions from day to day. There are 3 forms of action research in education: Individual, collaborative, and schoolwide. Individual action research is when an individual conducts a research project focusing on a specific class or activity. Collaborative action research involves a team of individuals and may focus on one classroom or many classrooms. Schoolwide action research involves the entire community of the school. The most common use of action research is evaluation research. Evaluation research is the gathering of data in order to make an informed decision and is used to assess the quality of a particular practice or program in a class or school.
Action research can take either a quantitative or qualitative approach. Quantitative research relies on numerical data while qualitative research utilizes detailed descriptions of the phenomena observed. Examples of qualitative methods include ethnography, case study, and historical inquiry. Quantitative methods include descriptive research, including survey and observational research, correlational research, and group comparison, which encompasses experimental, quasi-experimental, and ex post facto methods.
Great to see your blog posted with start-up comments. You might consider expanding on your views about basic research in terms of how it contributes to the knowledge about a field of study and to the development of theories. I look forward to your next posts this week.
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