McNiff: Proposed Stages of Action

Eames, K. (1990) Growing your own. In: McNiff, J. (1993) Teaching as learning: an action research approach. Oxon: Routledge. p. 71

Eames states: 

'...action research is of immense importance to the professionality  of teachers. It's a form of knowledge produced by teachers,and primarily aimed at communicating with teachers, and at being used by teachers.' (Eames, 1990, In, McNiff, 1993:p.71)

This links with Hannan's (2006) thoughts about 'beginning research':

'...action research is likely to be better appreciated and used by teachers because it is done by them and for them and that insights generated by such work are more likely to influence teachers' practice than the theories produced by external experts.' Hannan, P. (2006) Beginning Research [on-line] . Plymouth, University of Plymouth. Available from: web-link

This reflects my own aim of research: to encourage collaboration in my place of work, by ensuring that I research an area of teaching that leads to improving the overall delivery of professional practice in the College.

Eames (1990) in (McNiff 1993:72) gives a process of stages that will help towards becoming an action researcher. The following is a modification of his first two stages towards research, that have been adapted to reflect my desired area of research for my proposal:

STAGE ONE:

Research idea: Could a comprehensive two week induction programme, improve retention and attendance of students

• reflect on your own learning processes - compare teaching approach with first cohort and approach now taken with second cohort
• apply your developing understanding personal practice to improving professional practice - think about the holistic approach you take towards e2e learners. What is the reason for this?
• use theoretical insights of academic writers to aid understanding - revisit Mercer's 'language and teaching' as well as Friere's view of learning as a 'constructivist process owned by the learner and facilitated by the teacher in interaction with the student which includes respect for the student and his/her view of the world.'

Eames (1990) states:

'Teaching is a value-laden activity, and we take action to improve our classroom practice, when we see that what is happening doesn't fit in with what we want to happen.' Eames (1990) in (McNiff 1993:73)

STAGE TWO:

• specific description of the identified problem - find out what the retention and attendance levels are of the January Starts and in the College in general.
• describe a possible solution to any identified problem - create an action research questionnaire to evaluate and compare the successes of the e2e induction to that of other departments
• disseminate questionnaires created then evaluate findings
• carry out interviews to generate more findings for triangulation 
• evaluate if there is any evidence to support my hypothesis 

Stages three and four are of my own creation.

STAGE THREE: second cycle of research to take place after submission of proposal

• Create a concise two week induction pack to include timetable and resources based on the e2e programme for departments to follow, preferably in time for the next intake of students
• Send out the same questionnaire to evaluate success of pilot solution
• Obtain statistics on retention and attendance of students to see if they have improved
• carry out interviews to see if following the two week induction pack improved cohesion of tutor groups and reduced stress levels of staff
• Triangulate findings of questionnaire, interview and statistics, to see if they support research hypothosis

STAGE FOUR: documenting findings

Proposed framework for research proposal

• Background - proposed topic of research, why I think it is needed
• Literature search of any previous work in this field
• Objective - aims and objectives of research
• Scope - outline of tasks to be undertaken
• Methodology and Approach - created self imposed questions
• (a) what are the constraints/limitations (if any)?
• (b) what are the technical challenges and uncertainties?
• (c) what are the different approaches to this problem?
• (d) what is my preferred approach and why?
• Facilities - is there any existing resources that can be utilized 
• Programme Schedule - proposed time frame for tasks to be completed and findings established and documented
• References - intended reading list etc.