INSIDE THE BLACK BOX: TRACKING DECISION-MAKING IN AN ACTION RESEARCH STUDY

Abstract

Action research has been described as “designing the plane while flying it” (Herr & Anderson, 2005, p. 69). A black box documented the researcher’s decisions while facilitating leadership development sessions with teacher leaders. Ten process folio steps informed the study through six iterations. Planning steps included a design frame, researcher’s action research cycle, session agenda, facilitator’s guide and researcher’s checklist. Observation steps included videotape transcriptions and written participant and researcher reflections. Analytical steps included a logic model, session summary and cumulative themes. Secondary analysis across the data sets crystalized the research contributions. The black box effectively documented complex action research.