Action research is a disciplined process of inquiry conducted by and for those taking the action. The primary reason for engaging in action research is to assist the “actor” in improving and/or refining his or her actions. This type of research follows specific guidelines of the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) to clearly describe the research project and present findings.
The key components of an action research paper in APA format include a title page, abstract, introduction, method section, results section, discussion section, and references. The paper should be formatted according to general APA guidelines using double spacing, Times New Roman 12-point font, and one-inch margins. Page headers with the title of the paper are included on each page and the paper is typically between 10-15 pages in length not including references and appendices.
TITLE PAGE
The title page should contain the title of the research project centered near the top of the page. Below the title include your name and any other authors as well as the institutional affiliation. The title should be concise yet informative to accurately capture the essence of the research.
ABSTRACT
On the following page include an abstract of 150-250 words summarizing the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions of the research without interpreting any findings or evaluating the work. The abstract should provide a high-level overview of what was studied, how it was studied, the main results, and what was concluded. This section allows readers to quickly understand what the paper is about without having to read the entire document.
INTRODUCTION
The introduction section should introduce the problem or issue that is the focus of the research project. Start by providing background and context on the problem being addressed. Clearly define the purpose and goal of the research project as well as the research question or questions being explored. Discuss the significance and importance of addressing the problem. Finally, provide an overview of the methodology used to study the problem and structure of the research paper. The introduction sets the stage for why the research was done.
METHOD
The method section provides a detailed description of the procedures and processes used to collect and analyze data. Begin with a statement identifying the overall research design used such as action research, case study, or program evaluation. Provide detailed information on the setting and participants involved in the study. Describe the specific methods, techniques, procedures, instruments, or tools used to gather data such as interviews, observation, surveys, tests. Explain the process of data analysis in detail as well. For qualitative analysis, discuss coding procedures and development of themes or patterns. For quantitative analysis, describe any descriptive or inferential statistics used. Conclude the method section by addressing validity, reliability, and the means for ensuring rigor and trustworthiness of the study. Ethical considerations should also be addressed if applicable.
RESULTS
This section presents the key findings and outcomes of the research in an organized, logical manner. The results should summarize both qualitative and quantitative data analysis without interpretation. Present findings through narratives, examples, quotes, graphs, tables, and figures as appropriate. Ensure all results directly relate back to and answer the original research questions. Provide sufficient detail and depth to allow the reader to understand without having to interpret results themselves. Tables and figures should be labeled sequentially and cited within the text. The results simply report what was found without drawing conclusions.
DISCUSSION
The discussion section integrates the major findings of the study and relates them to the original research problem and questions. Begin by briefly summarizing the key results then analyze and interpret their significance and meaning. Relate findings to prior theory and research to identify connections and differences. Discuss unexpected or surprising outcomes as well as limitations or potential weaknesses. Consider implications of the findings and offer recommendations as appropriate. Conclude by revisiting the purpose and importance of the work noting any need for future research or next steps. The discussion helps make sense of the study and its potential applications.
REFERENCES
All sources cited within the paper are listed alphabetically using APA style guidelines. Include all works directly referenced including primary sources as well as background literature. The reference list should provide publication information sufficient for others to find each source. For published works cite the author(s), year of publication, title, journal or book details. For online sources include a URL or database information as applicable. Properly formatted references establish credibility and allow readers to follow-up on cited evidence and claims.
Overall, the key elements of an action research paper in APA format provide a framework to transparently share the research process, analysis, and findings in an organized, clear manner according to established publication standards. Structuring the paper with the necessary sections allows full documentation of methods, display of results, and interpretation integrated with related literature. Following APA style establishes credibility and promotes rigorous dissemination to stakeholders to help improve practice.
Andrew Stroud