HIGHER EDUCATION ACTION RESEARCH JOURNAL

Action research has been defined by people in a variety of ways, but, at its core, it is a philosophy and methodology that emphasizes strategic learning and change. With its origins in Kurt Lewin's work with social organizations, action research tends to be synonymous with strategic change. The researcher becomes aware of a problem, works with those people most affected by the problem to develop potential solutions, and tests those solutions for effectiveness. Action research is a never ending cycle that has a foundation in improving the social condition by listening to and actually hearing what is being said.

Action research is a growing area of scholarly activity, particularly among members of teaching institutions. It is an excellent way to engage in both research and teaching. It is also inherently open and interdisciplinary in nature. Perhaps because of this, action research flourishes in electronic formats. Below are links to various overviews and ideas for action research, as well as other outlets for your work. Please note that this does not serve as an endorsement of these other outlets, nor is it an exhaustive list; this is provided as general information, given we no longer publish HEAR.

Web Resources

Gwynn Mettetal's Classroom Action Research Overview: http://mypage.iusb.edu/~gmetteta/Classroom_Action_Research.html

Drummond, T. (1995). A brief summary of the best practices in college teaching.  Retrieved from http://www.fctel.uncc.edu/pedagogy/basicscoursedevelop/BestPractices.html

O'Brien, R. (2001). Um exame da abordagem metodológica da pesquisa ação [An Overview of the Methodological Approach of Action Research]. In  Roberto Richardson (Ed.), Teoria e Prática da Pesquisa Ação [Theory and Practice of Action Research]. João Pessoa, Brazil: Universidade Federal da Paraíba. English version retrieved from http://www.web.ca/~robrien/papers/arfinal.html

Paulson, D. R., & Faust, J. L. (n.d.) Active learning for the college classroom. Retrieved from http://www.calstatela.edu/dept/chem/chem2/Active/

Smith, M. K. (2001). Action research. The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from www.infed.org/research/b-actres.htm

Other Action Research Journals

Action Research (published by Sage)

Action Research International (published online by Southern Cross University)

AR Expeditions (published online by Montana State University)

Educational Action Research (published by Taylor Francis)

West Virginia Online Action Research Journal (published online by the West Virginia Center for Professional Development for West Virginia educators)