Action Research
Action research is the process by which a teacher conducts a systematic study to find a solution to a problem in their own classroom. REET asks questions on its nature, steps and statistical methods.
- 3 questions in REET 2024
- Teacher-training level
- 6 min read
How REET asks this topic
REET 2024 had three kinds of questions on action research — its nature/characteristic (a dynamic process), its research design (the one-group pretest-posttest design), and the statistical test used in data analysis. So along with the definition, you also need to understand its process/method well.
Meaning and definition
Action research is research a teacher carries out to solve an immediate, practical problem in their own classroom or school (such as children's weak performance in a subject, or a discipline problem).
It differs from fundamental research, which is done to build general theory. The aim of action research is to find a practical solution to an immediate, local problem, not broad generalisation.
The concept of action research was developed by social psychologist Kurt Lewin in the 1940s. It became popular in education because it makes the teacher not just a 'user of information' but a 'creator of knowledge' (teacher as researcher) — the teacher can make better teaching decisions based on their own experience and classroom data.
This research is participatory — it often involves students, parents or fellow teachers alongside the teacher, which makes the solution more practical and acceptable.
Action research vs fundamental research
Action research
PurposeSolving an immediate classroom problem
Conducted byThe teacher themselves (practitioner)
Scope of resultsLimited, confined to own classroom/school
NatureDynamic and cyclical
SampleSmall — one class or a few students
Time frameRelatively short, a few weeks to a few months
Fundamental (basic) research
PurposeBuilding general theory/knowledge
Conducted byExpert researchers
Scope of resultsBroad, generalisable
NatureMore formal and longer-term
SampleLarge, representative sample
Time frameUsually runs over a long period
Steps of action research (Lewin's model)
- 1. Planning
- Identifying the problem and building a strategy for the solution
- 2. Action
- Implementing the planned strategy in the classroom
- 3. Observation
- Collecting data and observing the results
- 4. Reflection
- Analysing results and deciding the next step — the cycle can repeat
Steps of action research in detail
Identifying the problem: First, the teacher clearly defines a real difficulty observed in the classroom (such as some children getting confused with fractions) and considers its possible causes.
Hypothesis and planning: Based on the problem, the teacher builds an action plan (such as using concrete materials/models) and decides how improvement will be measured.
Implementation and data collection: The plan is applied in the actual classroom, and data is gathered through observation, tests or work samples.
Analysis, conclusion and reporting: The collected data is analysed to see whether the intervention worked, and the findings are shared with colleagues so they too can benefit.
One-group pretest-posttest design
The most common experimental design in action research is the 'one-group pretest-posttest design'. In this, a single group (such as one class) is tested before a treatment/intervention (such as a new teaching method), given the treatment, and then tested again, so the two scores can be compared.
Since the pre- and post-scores of the same group are being compared, a correlated/paired t-test is used for data analysis.
One limitation of this design is that it has no control group, so it can't be said with full certainty that the improvement was due only to the intervention (like the new teaching method) or also due to some other factor (like the children's general maturation). Even so, it is considered adequate and convenient for showing practical improvement at the classroom level.
Using action research in the classroom
| Classroom problem | Solution through action research |
|---|---|
| Children make spelling mistakes | Running daily dictation practice for a month and measuring improvement through a pre-post test |
| Interest in reading is low in class | Adopting story-based teaching and measuring the change in interest and reading level |
| Average marks are low in a maths chapter | Using teaching aids and checking the effect through a pre-post test |
| Some children are frequently absent | Talking to parents to find the cause of absence and measuring the change in attendance after giving special encouragement for a month |
How to write an action research report
A good action research report generally includes a description of the problem, its possible causes, the action plan/intervention adopted, the tools used (such as tests, questionnaires), a comparison of pre- and post-results, and the conclusion with further suggestions.
In the REET exam, you are sometimes also asked which step a teacher should take first in a given situation — in such questions, the correct sequence is always: clearly identify the problem → analyse the cause → build an action plan → implement it → evaluate.
It also helps to keep the report short and focused rather than exhaustive — busy teachers are far more likely to read and act on a two-page summary of what worked than a long, jargon-heavy write-up, so clarity and brevity matter as much as accuracy.
Memory trick
Remember the 4 steps of action research: 'Plan it, act on it, observe it, reflect on it' (PAOR). Keep in mind — it is always done by the teacher themselves, for their own classroom, so options mentioning an 'outside expert' or 'broad generalisation' are usually the wrong choice.
REET 2024 questions (solved)
Question 4
What is the primary feature of “Action Research” ?
- Aयह एक गतिशील प्रक्रिया है
- Bयह एक सैद्धान्तिक प्रक्रिया है
- Cयह समस्या समाधान दृष्टिकोण से बचता है
- Dयह केवल स्व-मूल्यांकन पर निर्भर करता है
Explanation
क्रियात्मक अनुसंधान (Action Research) कक्षा या विद्यालय की तात्कालिक समस्याओं के समाधान हेतु शिक्षक द्वारा किया जाने वाला अनुसंधान है। इसमें योजना, क्रिया, अवलोकन और चिन्तन का चक्र लगातार चलता रहता है, इसलिए यह एक गतिशील (dynamic) प्रक्रिया है। यह सैद्धान्तिक नहीं बल्कि व्यावहारिक और समस्या-समाधान केन्द्रित होता है।
Question 12
In Action Research, what does “pre test – post test single group design” refer to ?
- Aएक डिजाइन जहाँ कई समूहों की तुलना की जाती है
- Bएक डिजाइन जहाँ एक समूह का उपचार से पहले और उपचार के बाद में परीक्षण किया जाता है
- Cएक डिजाइन, जिसमें पूर्व परीक्षण शामिल नहीं होता
- Dएक डिजाइन, जो निष्कर्षों को सामान्य करता है
Explanation
पूर्व परीक्षण-पश्च परीक्षण एकल समूह प्रारूप (One group pre-test post-test design) में केवल एक ही समूह होता है; उपचार (treatment/intervention) से पहले उसका परीक्षण किया जाता है और उपचार के बाद फिर परीक्षण करके दोनों अंकों की तुलना की जाती है। इसमें कई समूहों की तुलना (A) नहीं होती और पूर्व परीक्षण अनिवार्य रूप से शामिल होता है, इसलिए C भी गलत है।
Question 7Multiple answers accepted
Which statistical test is commonly used for data analysis in action research ?
- Aसहसंबंध टी-परीक्षण
- Bस्वतन्त्र टी-परीक्षण
- Cकाई-वर्ग परीक्षण
- Dप्रतिगमन विश्लेषण
Explanation
क्रियात्मक अनुसंधान (action research) प्रायः कक्षा की किसी समस्या के समाधान हेतु छोटे समूह पर किया जाता है, जिसमें उपचार से पहले और बाद (pre-test/post-test) के अंकों की तुलना होती है। एक ही समूह के पूर्व और पश्च अंकों की तुलना के लिए सहसंबद्ध/युग्मित टी-परीक्षण (paired t-test) उपयुक्त है, इसलिए (A) सही है। BSER की अंतिम कुंजी ने प्रतिगमन विश्लेषण (D) को भी स्वीकार किया है; बोर्ड ने इसका कारण स्पष्ट नहीं किया।
Practice questions
Question 1
Action research is mainly carried out by whom?
- Aबाहरी विशेषज्ञ शोधकर्ता
- Bशिक्षक स्वयं अपनी कक्षा के लिए
- Cकेवल विश्वविद्यालय के प्रोफेसर
- Dसरकारी अधिकारी
Explanation
Action research is carried out by the teacher themselves to solve a practical problem in their own classroom or school.
Question 2
What is the main purpose of action research?
- Aसामान्य वैज्ञानिक सिद्धांत बनाना
- Bकक्षा की तात्कालिक समस्या का व्यावहारिक समाधान खोजना
- Cराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर नीति बनाना
- Dकेवल आँकड़े एकत्र करना
Explanation
The purpose of action research is not to build general scientific theory but to find a practical solution to an immediate problem in a specific classroom/school.
Question 3
In the action research cycle (Lewin's model), what is the correct order?
- Aक्रिया-योजना-चिंतन-अवलोकन
- Bयोजना-क्रिया-अवलोकन-चिंतन
- Cचिंतन-योजना-क्रिया-अवलोकन
- Dअवलोकन-चिंतन-योजना-क्रिया
Explanation
The action research cycle runs in the order Planning → Action → Observation → Reflection, and this cycle can be repeated.
Question 4
How does action research differ from fundamental research?
- Aयह अधिक व्यापक सामान्यीकरण देता है
- Bयह किसी विशिष्ट, स्थानीय समस्या के समाधान पर केंद्रित होता है
- Cयह हमेशा प्रयोगशाला में होता है
- Dइसमें शिक्षक की कोई भूमिका नहीं होती
Explanation
Fundamental research builds general theory, while action research focuses on solving the immediate problem of a specific classroom/situation.
Question 5
How many groups are used in the 'one-group pretest-posttest design'?
- Aदो
- Bतीन
- Cएक
- Dचार
Explanation
This design uses only a single group, which is tested before and after the treatment for comparison.
Question 6
Which statistical test is generally suitable for comparing a single group's pre- and post-test scores?
- Aस्वतंत्र नमूना टी-परीक्षण
- Bसहसंबद्ध/युग्मित टी-परीक्षण
- Cकाई-वर्ग परीक्षण
- DANOVA
Explanation
Since both measurements (pre and post) belong to the same group, a correlated or paired t-test is the appropriate statistical method.
Question 7
Why is action research called a 'dynamic process'?
- Aक्योंकि इसमें एक ही बार डेटा एकत्र किया जाता है
- Bक्योंकि योजना-क्रिया-अवलोकन-चिंतन का चक्र लगातार दोहराया जा सकता है
- Cक्योंकि इसमें कोई योजना नहीं बनानी पड़ती
- Dक्योंकि यह हमेशा असफल होता है
Explanation
In action research, the process of improvement doesn't end after one round; what is learnt in one cycle is used in the next, which is why it is considered dynamic.
Question 8
A teacher feels her class makes many spelling mistakes and wants to try a new method for a month to check improvement. What type of research is this?
- Aमौलिक अनुसंधान
- Bक्रियात्मक अनुसंधान
- Cऐतिहासिक अनुसंधान
- Dसर्वेक्षण अनुसंधान
Explanation
A study conducted by a teacher to solve an immediate problem (spelling mistakes) in their own classroom is an example of action research.
Question 9
What does a teacher do in the 'action' stage of action research?
- Aसमस्या की पहचान करता है
- Bयोजनाबद्ध रणनीति को कक्षा में लागू करता है
- Cकेवल परिणामों का विश्लेषण करता है
- Dअगला शोध विषय चुनता है
Explanation
In the 'action' stage the teacher actually implements the strategy already planned in the classroom; identifying the problem happens in the planning stage.
Question 10
What is generally the scope of action research findings?
- Aपूरे देश पर लागू होने योग्य
- Bसीमित — मुख्यतः संबंधित कक्षा/विद्यालय तक
- Cअंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर सामान्यीकरण योग्य
- Dसभी विषयों पर समान रूप से लागू
Explanation
Since action research is done for a specific classroom/situation, its results are mainly limited to that context, not meant for broad generalisation.
Frequently asked questions
What is action research?+
Action research is research a teacher carries out on their own to solve an immediate, practical problem in their classroom/school.
What are the steps of action research?+
Generally it has four steps — planning, action, observation and reflection — which can be repeated as a cycle.
How is action research different from fundamental research?+
Fundamental research is done to build general theory, while action research focuses on the immediate solution of a specific, local problem.
Which statistical test is used in the one-group pre-post test design?+
Since two measures (pre and post) of the same group are compared, a correlated/paired t-test is considered appropriate.
Who introduced the concept of action research?+
The concept of action research was developed by social psychologist Kurt Lewin in the 1940s, which was later widely adopted in education.
Who all can be involved in action research?+
Mainly the teacher does it themselves, but it is a participatory process, in which students, parents or fellow teachers can also be involved.
Does action research have a control group?+
Generally not. Most action research is based on a single-group design, so its findings are useful at the classroom level but are not considered fully scientifically conclusive.
What should an action research report include?+
A description of the problem, possible causes, the action plan adopted, the tools used, a comparison of pre-post results, and the conclusion and suggestions — these are all essential parts of a good action research report.
Can the results of action research be useful to other teachers?+
Yes, although the results are mainly limited to the class concerned, other teachers in a similar situation can still take ideas and direction from them and test them in their own classroom.
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- 17 September 2026 — English pilot page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked