Բոլոր դասընթացները | ԵՊՀ ուսուցման կառավարման համակարգ

Հետազոտություն և գրագրություն (ասպիրանտների և հայցորդներ համար) (խ-Research and Writing for PHD students)

Utilizing Action Research to Improve Learning and Performance

This is a modified and integrated version of two action research courses I have taught at the College of Education, Georgia College, over the course of years. Utilizing Educational Research to Improve Learning (EDUC 6103) and Implement Research Project (EDUC 6201).

As conceived, the present version of the course is to offer a general understanding of the theory and practice of what in the field of research, particularly the qualitative genre, is referred to as Action Research.

But what is it that distinguishes this kind of research from its counterparts, be these in the realm of qualitative or quantitative approaches? Generally, what are the attributes that set the two major genres of research apart? How is Action Research related to one or the other genre, and to the approach known as Mixed Methods? Given the above, what is essential for a researcher to understand regarding the concepts of Research Paradigms and Research Methodologies? These are some but not all of the questions we will explore as we engage in the work of this course.

The primary objective of this course is to meet the basic needs of doctoral students interested in being introduced to, or expanding their knowledge of, the Qualitative Genre, and within it, of Action Research. That is, further familiarization with two of the foundational features of qualitative research, the process of constructing narrative, and an interest in deepening one’s understanding and knowledge of a topic, rather than the quest to prove or falsify a hypothesis. Given these measures, action research asks of the researcher to assume a Participatory and Collaborative stance, instead of a distanced and individualized one. It is in this light that the person who engages in action research is perceived as a practitioner of her/his discipline/craft, be this in the category of social sciences, the humanities, or in the biological sciences.

This course will remain focused on the qualitative genre. Interested students in fields such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, social work, political science, history, foreign languages, architecture, and the biological sciences are encouraged to consider enrolling. If approved, a few Mixed Methods studies, particularly for those in the sciences, will be permitted.