Conference workshops on gender, experiential learning through the lifespan, and action research provide examples of methods of enhancing understanding of social structures and political interventions in academic and professional communities. One challenge in this method is the unpredictability of the outcomes of experiential events. (SK)

It is proposed that action research, as distinguished from traditional research, has a role in graduate management education. It is suggested that the former is more appropriate for developing managerial competencies. Differences between master's-level and doctoral-level action research projects are noted, and related issues for curriculum design…

Describes the background and context of how action research has grown in the Madison (Wisconsin) Metropolitan School District--the organization and process being used to help teachers and principals work on their research questions, the value of the experience as perceived by the participants, and lessons learned about implementing action research…

Although there is no established or accepted definition of enterprise, enterprise competencies have broader applications than entrepreneurship. Assessment methods for identifying competencies include critical incidents technique, job function analysis, behaviorally anchored rating scales, and Morgan's action research approach. (SK)

Shows that action research and process consultation methodologies used in the organizational development (OD) field are vital to our changing educational culture. Instead of diagnosing and prescribing solutions, the OD consultant teaches clients (schools) how to make appropriate interventions for specific change objectives. (12 references) (MLH)

Principals who are transformative leaders consistently use three building blocks to promote school success: a clear, unified purpose; a common cultural perspective; and a constant push for improvement. In one study, an opinionated, assertive middle school principal; a nurturing, supportive principal; and a high-energy, charismatic principal all…

Summarizes an action-research project in which elementary teacher candidates enrolled in required multicultural awareness class observed classroom practices and interviewed mentor teachers at Dallas-Fort Worth schools about teaching practices, lesson content, and rationales related to Black History Month. Of the 48 schools studied, only 11 planned…

To determine if governance structures affected perceptions of teacher empowerment, 55 teachers completed the Teacher Perception Survey. Subjects were from two matched Missouri elementary schools with differing organizational structures and administrative philosophies. Unlike the traditional model, an Accelerated School model strongly influenced…

Aware of the invasive aspects of emancipatory research methods, the author constructed a classroom experience to expose her own use of power when conducting such projects. Her student participants had varied responses to a power definition/perception experiment: trapped, captured, and willing. (27 references) (MLH)

A constructivist framework based on active listening, interpretation, and dialog was used to initiate collaborative research and development among farmers, researchers, and advisers. The method overcame polarized, conflictual communication about sustainable land use. (SK)

While doing action research, a library media teacher became the liaison between an Illinois elementary school and a homeless shelter. She developed a resource guide for local teachers that inspired a statewide publication effort. Now she works on a statewide committee to educate school systems about homeless children's rights. (12 references) (MLH)

Discusses action research and its implications for library media centers; measurement and study; and steps in the action research process: clarify research need and define research problem, plan research to provide relevant data, collect and organize, analyze and interpret, report to relevant audiences, and integrate the results into library media…

Introduces a special issue on the advantages of conducting "Level 1 research," a method of service-delivery accountability which involves systematically monitoring clinical outcomes without attempting to scientifically prove what is causing those effects. This type of research is compared with both Level 3 research (scientific research) and Level…

Describes and discusses the use of action research, research carried out by teachers. Highlights the aims and means of action research, how to prepare teachers to collect and interpret classroom data, and procedures for conducting action research, including initial reflection, planning, action, observation, and reflection. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the "think tank" programs of the New England Resource Center for Higher Education that enable college administrators to become more reflective about their practice and to conduct research that is rooted in practice. The think tanks are day-long seminars for chief student affairs officers, chief academic officers, associate academic…