Fundamental, Applied and

Action Research

Dr. Akhilesh Kumar

Research???

3

Research generates knowledge in order to:

action change within a

system

pave the way for change

build broader

understanding

Basic or pure research

Action research Critical / radical

ethnography

Applied / evaluativeresearch participatory/

emancipatorytechnical/ practical

emancipate through action

expose and change the dominate system

Types of Research

Criteria

Types

On the basis of Objectives

Fundamental Research

Applied Research

Action Research

On the Basis of Nature of Data

Qualitative Research

Quantitative research

On the basis of Nature of Findings

Explanatory Research

Exploratory Research

Descriptive Research

On the basis Experimental manipulations

Experimental Research

Non-Experimental Research

On the basis of approach involved

Longitudinal Research

Cross Sectional Research

Basic vs. Applied Research

Basic / Fundamental Research – type of research that may have limited direct application but in which the researcher has careful control of the conditions

Applied research – type of research that has direct value to practitioners but in which the researcher has limited control over the research setting

Fundamental / Basic Research

Basic / Fundamental / Pure researchSalient Features:

Based on the belief ‘Knowledge for the knowledge’s sake’. Collection and analysis of data to develop or enhance theory Advancement of knowledge. Take place in a sterile environment Understanding of theoretical relationship between variables Exploratory in nature Without any pre-assumption of any utility.Examples:

Piaget Theory of Cognitive Development Experiment of Pavlov (Classical Conditioning theory) Gardner’s multiple intelligences

Applied Research

Salient Features:Solve specific, practical questionsCan be exploratory, but usually descriptiveInvolves precise measurement of the characteristics and

describes relationships between variables of a studied phenomenon

Collection and analysis of data to examine the usefulness of theory in solving practical educational problems Examples

Developing a seventh grade social studies curriculum around a problem-solving approach to learning

Examining the effectiveness of a computer-based algebra program developed around a mastery learning approach

Accommodating varied learning styles when teaching lessons in modern literature

Relationship between Basic & Applied Research

The interaction of basic and applied research Basic research provides the theory that produces the

concepts for solving educational problems Applied research provides the data to help support,

guide, and revise the development theory Doing basic research ensures that applied researchers

do not need to reinvent the wheel every time they start on a new project, because the groundwork has been done.

Comparisons:

Basic ResearchDomain- driven -

intended to lead theoretical dvpt

Justified in terms of gaining knowledge for its sake – they focus on making things better and creating a more humane society

The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge

Applied Research Demand-driven –

intended to lead to soln of specific problems

Designed to solve practical problems of the modern world

Can take the research basic research further based on the results, where applicable

Comparisons…

Basic ResearchDone for the intellectual pleasure of learning

Mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory

Applied Research Done to test theories in the field to achieve

better validity. Aims at finding a solution for an immediate

problem facing a society

Comparisons…

BasicDirected towards

finding information that has broad base of applications

No commercial value attached to the discoveries that result from basic research.

AppliedThe central aim is to discover a solution for

some pressing practical problem There is commercial value, e.g. research to

improve agricultural crop production

Comparisons…

Basic AnalyticInvolves a search

for enduring or general truths

Exploration

AppliedSyntheticEntails a search for pragmatics solutions to

particular problemsEntirely a pursuit of social concerns

Definition of Action Research

John Best & Kahn: “Action research is focused on the immediate application and not on the development of theory. It has placed its emphasis on a real problem in a local setting. Its finding are to be evaluated in terms of local applicability, not in terms of universal validity”

What is action research?

Action research is systematic inquiry done by teachers (or other individuals in an educational setting) to gather information about, and subsequently improve, the ways their particular educational setting operates, how they teach, and how well their students learn (Mills, 2000).

Action Research

‘Action research is simply a form of self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in social situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own practices, their understanding of these practices, and the situations in which the practices are carried out’

(Carr and Kemmis 1986).

Reflective teaching is a process of developing lessons or assessing student learning with thoughtful consideration of educational theory, existing research, and practical experience, along with the analysis of the lesson’s effect on student learning (Parsons & Brown, 2002).

Action Research

It is a process for studying practical problems of social studies.

It is a scientific procedure for finding out a practical solution of current problem.

The practitioner can only study his problem.It is a personal research for clinical research work.The focus is to improve and modify the current

practices.The individual and group problems studied by

action research.It does not contribute to the fund of knowledge.

Lewin’s Model of AR

Calhaun’s AR cycle

Bachman’s AR Cycle

Riel’s AR Model

Action Research History

Kurt Lewin(1946) credit with development of concept of action research

Evolved and influenced by Kemmis(1983), Ebbutt (1985), Elliott (1991), Hopkins (1985) and others…

Types of Action Research

Action Research

Participatory Practical

•Studying local practices involving individual or team-based inquiry•Focusing on teacher development and student learning•Implementing a plan of action•Leading to the teacher-as-researcher

•Studying social issues that constrain individual lives•Emphasizing equal collaboration•Focusing on “life-enhancing changes”•Resulting in the emancipated researcher

Action research: Data collection techniques

Action ResearchData Collection Techniques

(The Three E’s)

Experiencing EnquiringExamining

(By observing)(By asking)

(By using records)

Participant Observation (Active participant)

Passive Observer

Informal Interview Structured formal Interview Questionnaires Attitude Scales Standardized Tests

Archival documents JournalsMapsAudio and VideotapesArtifacts

Fieldnotes

Research

Applied Research

Action Researc

h

Fundamental / Basic

Research

References

Best, J.W.(2013) Research Methods in Education, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi

Cohen,L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education, Routledge, London, 1st Ed.

Gay, L.R., (1992) Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application, Merill-Macmillan, New York, 4th Ed.

McNiff, J. & Whitehead J., (2002) Actiona Research: Principle & Practices, Routledge-Falmer, London, 1st Ed.

Norton, S.L., (2009) Action Research in Teaching and Learning: A Practical Guide to Conducting Pedagogical Research in Universities, Routledge, London,1st Ed.

Paneerselvam, R. (2012). Research Methodology, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi, 10th Ed.

Questions?????

Thank You!!