Deck 3: Action Research for Lifelong Learning

Question 1

Critical action research:

A) Is focused on problems within organizations
B) Is a form of participatory research
C) Contains a basic research component
D) Strives to identify variables leading to generalized change

Answer 1

B

Question 2

State a problem at your workplace that can be addressed via action research.

Answer 2

not answered

Question 3

An example of critical action research would be:

A) Implementing strategies to reduce of income inequality
B) Understanding policies that hold women back
C) Decreasing discrimination
D) Employees banding together to figure out how to improve morale

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Explain the Cycle of Action Research.

Question 5

Contrast the different types of action research.

Question 6

According to Lewin, in order for change to occur:

A) Forces driving change must overpower forces resisting change
B) Forces must be in a state of equilibrium
C) Physical and psychological forces must be stronger than group forces
D) People needed to be educated about the change

Question 7

A defining characteristic of action research is that it:

A) Often leads to changes in practices
B) Is rarely used to test out new strategies
C) Does not require careful measurement
D) Only uses qualitative data

Question 8

The many types of action research:

A) Are mutually exclusive
B) Focus upon similar questions
C) Have similar emphases
D) Often work well when combined

Question 9

Participatory Action Research:

A) Aims to empower individuals
B) Is conducted by a team of stakeholders who are interested in the research problem
C) Focuses upon social justice issues
D) Involves all members of an organization

Question 10

Translational research involves:

A) Translating research into other languages for international researchers to use in their writing
B) Taking the results of research and making them easy to understand and implement
C) Taking everyday ideas and turning them into research studies
D) Converting basic research into applied research

Question 11

Critical action research is a form of:

A) Evaluation research
B) Basic research
C) Orientational research
D) Evaluation research

Question 12

Dr. Smythe's most recent research study involved taking an instructional strategy found to be successful in a well-controlled laboratory environment and using that strategy in actual public school classroom with public school teachers. Her study is an example of:

A) Participatory action research
B) Basic research
C) Translational research
D) Feminist action research

Question 13

John Dewey believed that:

A) What worked in one school would automatically work in another school
B) It was impossible to find universal truths through our research
C) Experimentation was best carried out by researchers
D) There was a definite beginning and end to inquiry

Question 14

Define action research and describe its origins.

Question 15

Describe Dewey's approach to inquiry.

Question 16

The female seventh-grade teachers at Main Street Middle School are concerned about the increased rates of student misbehavior in classes during the first quarter. They decide to conduct an action research project investigating student misbehavior in their classes. They develop their research questions, decide what information to collect, devise analysis strategies, interpret their findings, and share their findings with all of their colleagues at the middle school. This is an example of:

A) Participatory action research
B) Critical action research
C) Feminist action research
D) Appreciative inquiry

Question 17

Critical action research emphasizes:

A) The identification of crisis situations
B) Political possibilities
C) Traditional scientific rigor
D) The traditional role of the objective researcher

Question 18

Describe Lewin's change theory.

Question 19

The goals of action research include:

A) Producing knowledge for knowledge's sake
B) The importance of generalizability
C) An emphasis on the particular
D) Testing the validity of theories

Question 20

Compare the strengths and weaknesses of action research.

Question 21

In the act phase of the action research cycle:

A) You determine what is going on and why it is
B) A literature review is conducted to see what actions others have taken
C) You generate problem statements
D) The intervention or investigation is carried out

Question 22

The type of learning that looks and questions assumptions, values, realities, reasons for actions, and how a problem relates to the larger system is:

A) Single-loop learning
B) Insight learning
C) Double-loop learning
D) Theory in use learning

Question 23

The type of learning that leads to learning organizations is:

A) Single-loop learning
B) Insight learning
C) Double-loop learning
D) Theory in use learning

Question 24

Teachers, staff, parents, students, and administrators at Central Valley High School completed an action research project. They met together, and developed and implemented a school-wide intervention plan to reach their goal of improved student achievement. This is an example of:

A) Action science
B) Appreciative inquiry
C) Participatory action research
D) Critical action research

Question 25

The type of learning that focuses on an efficient solution to a small problem is called:

A) Single-loop learning
B) Insight learning
C) Double-loop learning
D) Theory in use learning

Question 26

Which phase of the action research cycle includes a statement of what you will be trying to improve?

A) Reflect
B) Plan
C) Act
D) Observe

Question 27

Characteristics of a reflective practitioner include:

A) Being honest, open, and providing constructive criticism.
B) Thinking about what is done and why it is done.
C) Advocating for those who have less power.
D) Being a life-long learner.

Question 28

The cycle of action research:

A) Always begins with planning
B) Always ends with the action phase.
C) Is finite
D) Does not have a specific starting or ending point

Question 29

Which form of action research emphasizes traditional scientific rigor?

A) Action science
B) Appreciative inquiry
C) Participatory action research
D) Critical action research

Question 30

A "who does what, when chart" is the important outcome of which phase of the action research cycle?

A) Reflect
B) Plan
C) Act
D) Observe

Question 31

Mr. White is trying out a new behavior management strategy in his class. He is currently collecting and interpreting data. What phase of the action research cycle is he in?

A) Reflect
B) Plan
C) Act
D) Observe

Question 32

Action research focused on changing something large is known as:

A) Individual action research
B) Collaborative action research
C) Systemwide action research
D) Appreciative inquiry

Question 33

Feminist action research is focused on:

A) Improving the lives of women
B) Converting individuals to feminism
C) Only women's health issues
D) Electing women to national offices

Question 34

In general, the process of conducting action research involves:

A) Reflecting, planning, acting, and observing
B) Discovering, dreaming, designing, and destiny
C) Forming, storming, norming, and performing
D) Hypothesis generation, designing interventions, intervening, and assessing impact

Question 35

Action science is a form of action research that involves:

A) Specific communities
B) Organizations
C) Case studies
D) Reviewing the results of other studies

Question 36

The school principal is completing an action research project for a class she is taking. She is focusing on the best in teachers and staff. When meeting with students, she is commenting on the positives rather than the negatives. Her action research project is:

A) Critical action research
B) Participatory action research
C) Feminist action research
D) Appreciative inquiry

Question 37

Ms. Freeman is conducting an action research project for her master's thesis. She is currently thinking about what her results mean, developing her conclusions, and planning what she should do next. It appears that she is in which phase of the action research cycle?

A) Reflect
B) Plan
C) Act
D) Observe

Question 38

_____________ is a form of action research that is focused on making an organization a learning organization where members work together, grow over time, and improve the organization.

A) Critical action research
B) Participatory action research
C) Appreciative inquiry
D) Action science

Question 39

As part of a school transformation experience the faculty, staff, and administrators at Public School 123 met over a period of time. As a result of these meetings, they identified what the school did well and the school's potential. They then developed a results-oriented vision for the school's future followed by a structure that would help them achieve their vision. Finally, the school community worked together to implement the new structure and maintain their vision of what the school should be. This is an example of what type of action research?

A) Action science
B) Appreciative inquiry
C) Discovery
D) Individual action research

Question 40

Ms. Bain has developed an action plan to accompany changes she is making in her classroom. It will contain information on:

A) Strengths, needs, and challenges she will face
B) What needs to be improved, actions to be taken, and observed outcomes
C) Quantitative data, qualitative data, and sources of evidence
D) Who does what, when they do it, and how they do it

Question 41

The strengths of action research include:

A) Producing generalizable results
B) Traditional research rigor
C) The development of lifelong learning
D) Ease of approval from IRBs

Question 42

Davis is starting a new company in Silicon Valley. He is committed to his employees' growth through working together. He has brought in consultant to help him accomplish this through trying different interventions to help his company that is continually changing. To accomplish this, the consultant may use:

A) Critical action research
B) Lewin's Change Theory
C) Individual action research
D) Action science

Question 43

For Lewin, change occurs:

A) During unfreezing
B) During refreezing
C) During equilibrium
D) During disequilibrium

Question 44

Ms. Hewitt is working on changing the behavior of one of her students. She has identified and believes she understands the driving and restraining forces that are operating to impact the student's behavior. She has completed:

A) A force field analysis.
B) Participatory action research
C) Quantitative analysis
D) Basic research

Question 45

The cycle of action research is similar to Dewey's:

A) Change Theory
B) Force Field Analysis
C) Idea that we need to learn and grow throughout life
D) Driving forces

Question 46

Sally is a graduate student in education. For her action research project, she has just finished implementing a class-wide behavior plan for an academic quarter. The next thing she should do is:

A) Figure out what she wants to do next
B) Examine the results of the intervention
C) Plan a follow-up study.
D) Reflect upon the experience

Question 47

Deweyan Inquiry occurs in five phases. Which of the phases listed below is NOT one of them?

A) "Something is wrong" phase
B) "Let's try this and see what happens" phase
C) "The change is over" phase
D) "Doing this would mean" phase

Question 48

Action research grew out of Kurt Lewin's linking of theory and practice.

Question 49

For his educational research class, Richard has to conduct an action research project. He has decided to change the way that he teaches reading vocabulary words to see if students' comprehension test scores improve. He has written down what he will do differently in terms of teaching vocabulary and when he will make the changes. He has ensured that his plan is ethical and feasible. This is an example of a(n):

A) Action plan
B) Who does what, when chart
C) Critical friend
D) Action research journal

Question 50

In Lewin's Force Field theory change occurs:

A) Relatively frequently
B) During the unfreezing stage
C) When restraining forces are stronger than driving forces
D) When driving forces are stronger than restraining forces

Question 51

Melanie is trying to change her diet by using Lewin's change theory. She has determined that her family's unwillingness to eat new foods is an example of:

A) A driving force
B) Equilibrium
C) A restraining force
D) Refreezing

Question 52

For all of it strengths, action research has some important weaknesses. According to the book one of its biggest weaknesses is:

A) Reliance on weaker research methods
B) Strong statements of cause and effect
C) Ease of approval from IRBs
D) Empowering practitioners

Question 53

Deweyan Inquiry relies on:

A) Equilibrium, driving, and restraining forces
B) Reflection, observation, and experimentation
C) Unfreezing, changing, and refreezing
D) Discovery, dreams, and destiny

Question 54

One way to generate ideas for an action research project is to have a colleague observe you teach and suggest things you could do to improve your teaching. This is an example of using a(n):

A) Action plan
B) Who does what, when chart
C) Critical friend
D) Action research journal

Question 55

The weaknesses of action research studies include:

A) Being based on small samples, thus having limited generalizability
B) The empowerment of practitioners
C) The commitment to democratic social change
D) The integration of theory and practice

Question 56

In appreciative inquiry action research studies, the phase where people work together to determine the organization's strengths and potential is called the:

A) Discovery phase
B) Dream phase
C) Design phase
D) Destiny phase

Question 57

Ms. Mercado is preparing to change the responsibilities of her paraprofessional. She has talked with the paraprofessional and together they identified and removed barriers to the change. They implemented the change, and now they are back in a new state of equilibrium. Marcia has used:

A) Lewin's Force Field Theory
B) Lewin's Change Theory
C) Feminist Action Research
D) Deweyan Inquiry

Question 58

Action research tends to be cyclical or ongoing because researchers reflect on their findings and then devise another phase of intervention and data collection.

Question 59

In action research, it is not necessary to link your theory to existing research literatures.

Question 60

In appreciative inquiry action research studies, the phase where people work together to determine how the organization should be structured to achieve its vision is called the:

A) Discovery phase
B) Dream phase
C) Design phase
D) Destiny phase

Question 61

During the observe phase of action research, data are collected using multiple tools and methods.

Question 62

Feminist action research is a type of critical action research.

Question 63

Describe the Cycle of Action Research.

Question 64

Identify a problem in your workplace or other environment. Describe how you would address the problem with action research.

Question 65

Explain what is meant by the action research attitude.

Question 66

It is not possible to conduct a descriptive action research project.

Question 67

In order to carry out action research you must always begin with reflection, then proceed to planning, action, and observation in order.

Question 68

Compare and contrast the different types of action research.

Question 69

Individual action research can be conducted by research teams.

Question 70

Many of the weaknesses of action research relate to weaker research methods and validity strategies when compared to other forms research used in educational settings.

Question 71

Describe Lewin's Change Theory and provide an example of it.

Question 72

Critical action research and participatory action research are the same thing.