Self-Study Teacher Research

Improving Your Practice Through Collaborative Inquiry
Anastasia P. Samaras - George Mason University, USA
Self-Study Teacher Research
April 2010 | 344 pages | Sage US
Create Flyer

If you’re in North America, please visit our Sage College Publishing website to purchase or sample this book:

Go to College Publishing Website

Description

Offer novice and experienced teachers guidelines for the "how" and "why" to do self-study teacher research

Designed to help teachers plan, implement, and assess a manageable self-study research project, this unique textbook covers the foundation, history, theoretical underpinnings, and methods of self-study research. Written in a reader-friendly style and filled with interactive activities and examples, this book helps teachers every step of the way as they plan and conduct their studies. Author Anastasia Samaras encourages readers to think deeply about both the "how" and the "why" of this essential professional development tool as they pose questions and formulate personal theories to improve professional practice.

Key Features

  • A Self-Study Project Planner assists teachers in understanding both the details and process of conducting self-study research.
  • A Critical Friends Portfolio includes innovative critical collaborative inquiries to support the completion of a high quality final research project.
  • Advice from the most senior self-study academics working in the U.S. and internationally is included, along with descriptions of the self-study methodology that has been refined over time.
  • Examples demonstrate the connections between self-study research, teachers' professional growth, and their students' learning.
  • Tables, charts, and visuals help readers see the big picture and stay organized.


Accompanied by High-Quality Ancillaries!

A Student Study Site at www.sagepub.com/samaras offers a wealth of resources, including additional examples and activities, web-based resources, study questions, and key terms.

Intended Audience

Self-Study Teacher Research: Improving Your Practice Through Collaborative Inquiry is intended as a core textbook for a wide variety of courses in the education curriculum, including Action Research, Qualitative Research Methods, Research Methods in Education, and the capstone/teacher researcher course required of all early childhood, elementary, and secondary education majors.



Contents

Preface

Preface

PART I: THE 6Ws OF SELF-STUDY RESEARCH

  • 1. Understanding Self-Study: What and Why
  • What is Self-Study Teacher Research?
  • What Self-Study Teacher Research is Not
  • Why Conduct Self-Study Teacher Research?
  • Key Ideas
  • 2. Overview of the Self-Study Process: What and How
  • Self-Study Research Project Planner
  • Self-Study Research Project Timeline
  • Self-Study Teacher Research Exemplar Brief
  • 3. The Self-Study Community: When and Where and Who
  • Culture of the Self-Study Community
  • Paradigm Shift
  • Influence, Confluence, and Divergence
  • Important Events in Outgrowth of Self-Study School
  • Critique and Sustainability
  • Key Ideas
  • 4. The Self-Study Research Methodology: Why and How
  • Characteristics of Self-Study Research
  • Five Foci Framework: Methodological Components of Self-Study Research
  • Key Ideas
  • 5. Self-Study Methods: How
  • Choosing a Self-Study Method
  • Challenges in Choosing a Method
  • Key Ideas

PART II: YOUR SELF-STUDY PROJECT

  • 6. Design
  • Design Matters
  • Seven Key Design Components
  • Key Ideas
  • 7. Protect
  • Questioning the Ethics of Your Study
  • School Division Review
  • The Role of Professional Organizations
  • Standards of Research Ethics
  • Institutional Review Boards
  • Key Ideas
  • 8. Organize Data
  • Alignment of Data with Question
  • Document
  • Categorize
  • Overlapping Research Phases
  • Key Ideas
  • 9. Collect Data
  • Data Gathering Techniques
  • Alternative Data Gathering Techniques
  • Quantifiable Data
  • Key Ideas
  • 10. Analyze Data
  • Research as a Recursive Act
  • Coding
  • Coding Families
  • Categories and Connections
  • Grounded Theory and the Constant Comparative Method
  • Concept Maps
  • Computer Software Tools
  • Key Ideas
  • 11. Assess Research Quality
  • Multiple Sources of Data
  • Transparency, validation, exemplars, and trustworthiness
  • Reliability
  • Generalizability
  • Key Ideas
  • 12. Write
  • Some Friendly Writing Advice
  • Writing Your Research Report
  • Writing Your Abstract
  • Welcoming Peer Critique
  • Key Ideas
  • 13. Present and Publish
  • The Importance of Presenting Your Research
  • Challenge the Status Quo of Presentations
  • Pointers for Presenting
  • Writing Your Self-Study Proposal
  • Advice for Presenting
  • The Proposal Review Process
  • Advice for Getting Published
  • Key Ideas
  • Closing Remarks
  • Appendix A: Sample of a Self-Study Teacher Research Exemplar Brief
  • Appendix B: Self-Study is Not Just for Classroom Teachers
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Index
  • About the Author

Description

Offer novice and experienced teachers guidelines for the "how" and "why" to do self-study teacher research

Designed to help teachers plan, implement, and assess a manageable self-study research project, this unique textbook covers the foundation, history, theoretical underpinnings, and methods of self-study research. Written in a reader-friendly style and filled with interactive activities and examples, this book helps teachers every step of the way as they plan and conduct their studies. Author Anastasia Samaras encourages readers to think deeply about both the "how" and the "why" of this essential professional development tool as they pose questions and formulate personal theories to improve professional practice.

Key Features

  • A Self-Study Project Planner assists teachers in understanding both the details and process of conducting self-study research.
  • A Critical Friends Portfolio includes innovative critical collaborative inquiries to support the completion of a high quality final research project.
  • Advice from the most senior self-study academics working in the U.S. and internationally is included, along with descriptions of the self-study methodology that has been refined over time.
  • Examples demonstrate the connections between self-study research, teachers' professional growth, and their students' learning.
  • Tables, charts, and visuals help readers see the big picture and stay organized.


Accompanied by High-Quality Ancillaries!

A Student Study Site at www.sagepub.com/samaras offers a wealth of resources, including additional examples and activities, web-based resources, study questions, and key terms.

Intended Audience

Self-Study Teacher Research: Improving Your Practice Through Collaborative Inquiry is intended as a core textbook for a wide variety of courses in the education curriculum, including Action Research, Qualitative Research Methods, Research Methods in Education, and the capstone/teacher researcher course required of all early childhood, elementary, and secondary education majors.



Contents

Preface

Preface

PART I: THE 6Ws OF SELF-STUDY RESEARCH

  • 1. Understanding Self-Study: What and Why
  • What is Self-Study Teacher Research?
  • What Self-Study Teacher Research is Not
  • Why Conduct Self-Study Teacher Research?
  • Key Ideas
  • 2. Overview of the Self-Study Process: What and How
  • Self-Study Research Project Planner
  • Self-Study Research Project Timeline
  • Self-Study Teacher Research Exemplar Brief
  • 3. The Self-Study Community: When and Where and Who
  • Culture of the Self-Study Community
  • Paradigm Shift
  • Influence, Confluence, and Divergence
  • Important Events in Outgrowth of Self-Study School
  • Critique and Sustainability
  • Key Ideas
  • 4. The Self-Study Research Methodology: Why and How
  • Characteristics of Self-Study Research
  • Five Foci Framework: Methodological Components of Self-Study Research
  • Key Ideas
  • 5. Self-Study Methods: How
  • Choosing a Self-Study Method
  • Challenges in Choosing a Method
  • Key Ideas

PART II: YOUR SELF-STUDY PROJECT

  • 6. Design
  • Design Matters
  • Seven Key Design Components
  • Key Ideas
  • 7. Protect
  • Questioning the Ethics of Your Study
  • School Division Review
  • The Role of Professional Organizations
  • Standards of Research Ethics
  • Institutional Review Boards
  • Key Ideas
  • 8. Organize Data
  • Alignment of Data with Question
  • Document
  • Categorize
  • Overlapping Research Phases
  • Key Ideas
  • 9. Collect Data
  • Data Gathering Techniques
  • Alternative Data Gathering Techniques
  • Quantifiable Data
  • Key Ideas
  • 10. Analyze Data
  • Research as a Recursive Act
  • Coding
  • Coding Families
  • Categories and Connections
  • Grounded Theory and the Constant Comparative Method
  • Concept Maps
  • Computer Software Tools
  • Key Ideas
  • 11. Assess Research Quality
  • Multiple Sources of Data
  • Transparency, validation, exemplars, and trustworthiness
  • Reliability
  • Generalizability
  • Key Ideas
  • 12. Write
  • Some Friendly Writing Advice
  • Writing Your Research Report
  • Writing Your Abstract
  • Welcoming Peer Critique
  • Key Ideas
  • 13. Present and Publish
  • The Importance of Presenting Your Research
  • Challenge the Status Quo of Presentations
  • Pointers for Presenting
  • Writing Your Self-Study Proposal
  • Advice for Presenting
  • The Proposal Review Process
  • Advice for Getting Published
  • Key Ideas
  • Closing Remarks
  • Appendix A: Sample of a Self-Study Teacher Research Exemplar Brief
  • Appendix B: Self-Study is Not Just for Classroom Teachers
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Index
  • About the Author
SAGE Publishing Logo

Self-Study Teacher Research

Improving Your Practice Through Collaborative Inquiry

Anastasia P. Samaras
Cancel Print

April 2010 | 344 pages | Sage US

Format Published Date ISBN Price

Offer novice and experienced teachers guidelines for the "how" and "why" to do self-study teacher research

Designed to help teachers plan, implement, and assess a manageable self-study research project, this unique textbook covers the foundation, history, theoretical underpinnings, and methods of self-study research. Written in a reader-friendly style and filled with interactive activities and examples, this book helps teachers every step of the way as they plan and conduct their studies. Author Anastasia Samaras encourages readers to think deeply about both the "how" and the "why" of this essential professional development tool as they pose questions and formulate personal theories to improve professional practice.

Key Features

  • A Self-Study Project Planner assists teachers in understanding both the details and process of conducting self-study research.
  • A Critical Friends Portfolio includes innovative critical collaborative inquiries to support the completion of a high quality final research project.
  • Advice from the most senior self-study academics working in the U.S. and internationally is included, along with descriptions of the self-study methodology that has been refined over time.
  • Examples demonstrate the connections between self-study research, teachers' professional growth, and their students' learning.
  • Tables, charts, and visuals help readers see the big picture and stay organized.


Accompanied by High-Quality Ancillaries!

A Student Study Site at www.sagepub.com/samaras offers a wealth of resources, including additional examples and activities, web-based resources, study questions, and key terms.

Intended Audience

Self-Study Teacher Research: Improving Your Practice Through Collaborative Inquiry is intended as a core textbook for a wide variety of courses in the education curriculum, including Action Research, Qualitative Research Methods, Research Methods in Education, and the capstone/teacher researcher course required of all early childhood, elementary, and secondary education majors.




Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • PART I: THE 6Ws OF SELF-STUDY RESEARCH
  • 1. Understanding Self-Study: What and Why
  • What is Self-Study Teacher Research?
  • What Self-Study Teacher Research is Not
  • Why Conduct Self-Study Teacher Research?
  • Key Ideas
  • 2. Overview of the Self-Study Process: What and How
  • Self-Study Research Project Planner
  • Self-Study Research Project Timeline
  • Self-Study Teacher Research Exemplar Brief
  • 3. The Self-Study Community: When and Where and Who
  • Culture of the Self-Study Community
  • Paradigm Shift
  • Influence, Confluence, and Divergence
  • Important Events in Outgrowth of Self-Study School
  • Critique and Sustainability
  • Key Ideas
  • 4. The Self-Study Research Methodology: Why and How
  • Characteristics of Self-Study Research
  • Five Foci Framework: Methodological Components of Self-Study Research
  • Key Ideas
  • 5. Self-Study Methods: How
  • Choosing a Self-Study Method
  • Challenges in Choosing a Method
  • Key Ideas
  • PART II: YOUR SELF-STUDY PROJECT
  • 6. Design
  • Design Matters
  • Seven Key Design Components
  • Key Ideas
  • 7. Protect
  • Questioning the Ethics of Your Study
  • School Division Review
  • The Role of Professional Organizations
  • Standards of Research Ethics
  • Institutional Review Boards
  • Key Ideas
  • 8. Organize Data
  • Alignment of Data with Question
  • Document
  • Categorize
  • Overlapping Research Phases
  • Key Ideas
  • 9. Collect Data
  • Data Gathering Techniques
  • Alternative Data Gathering Techniques
  • Quantifiable Data
  • Key Ideas
  • 10. Analyze Data
  • Research as a Recursive Act
  • Coding
  • Coding Families
  • Categories and Connections
  • Grounded Theory and the Constant Comparative Method
  • Concept Maps
  • Computer Software Tools
  • Key Ideas
  • 11. Assess Research Quality
  • Multiple Sources of Data
  • Transparency, validation, exemplars, and trustworthiness
  • Reliability
  • Generalizability
  • Key Ideas
  • 12. Write
  • Some Friendly Writing Advice
  • Writing Your Research Report
  • Writing Your Abstract
  • Welcoming Peer Critique
  • Key Ideas
  • 13. Present and Publish
  • The Importance of Presenting Your Research
  • Challenge the Status Quo of Presentations
  • Pointers for Presenting
  • Writing Your Self-Study Proposal
  • Advice for Presenting
  • The Proposal Review Process
  • Advice for Getting Published
  • Key Ideas
  • Closing Remarks
  • Appendix A: Sample of a Self-Study Teacher Research Exemplar Brief
  • Appendix B: Self-Study is Not Just for Classroom Teachers
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Index
  • About the Author

Recent Product Reviews:

"Among the pedagogical volumes I have perused, Self-Study Teacher Research is the sanest. Within religion, I commend it mainly to fledgling instructors or mid-career professors seeking a fresh start."
Suzanne Morrison, Ohio Northern University
Useful for New Adjunct professor training
Dr Carlton Lawrence, Management Dept, Colorado Technology University - Denver
The committe believes is more for a graduate class
Professor DANIEL ACHEAMPONG, Business Prog Division, Hillsborough Community College - Plant
"It’s a very practical, helpful book for those learning to do self-study research."
Karl Wheatley, Cleveland State University
"The author of this book has done a stunning job of pulling together a mass of material, peppering it with sage advice, and presenting it in a comprehensible and engaging way that is sure to attract the attention of would-be researchers in the self-study and teacher research veins."
Cheryl Craig, University of Houston

Recommendations