Question

What are the activities which take place during the stage of reconnaissance in action research?

a) Identifying and classifying general idea

b) Describing the facts of the situation

c) Explaining the facts of the situation

d) Constructing a general plan

e) Developing the next action steps

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. b and c only
2. a and b only
3. c and d only
4. d and e only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : b and c only

Research is a systematic way of investigation, a process of discovering new knowledge. A research strategy is ideally a research model of conducting research that can be verified by the research community.

Reconnaissance refers to the activities that allow a determination for the action researcher to examine what the intended purpose of the research was and till now achieved the status of the progress reached in the endeavour.

Action research

• Action Research refers to the application of research to educational problems in particular classroom settings.
• It encourages change in the educational system and thereby fosters a democratic approach towards education.
• It positions teachers and other educators as learners who seek to narrow the gap between the practice and their vision of education.
• It encourages educators to reflect on their practices. Subsequently, it promotes the process of testing new ideas.

There are two dimensions of reconnaissance-

1. Self Reconnaissance- Exploration of the investigator's beliefs and behaviour within a particular investigation context
2. Situational Reconnaissance- Exploration of the particular context

• The planning phase is the focus on reconnaissance
• Plan-Act-Observe-Reflect is the action research cycle and is the domain of the reconnaissance stage
• It is a practice within the planning phase of formal doctoral research

The reconnaissance stage of active action research consists of following-

1. Review current practice
2. Identify an aspect to improve
3. Imagine a way forward
4. Try it out
5. Take stock of what happens
6. Modify the plan in the light of what is found and resume with the action
7. Monitor what is done
8. Evaluate the modified action