What makes a good research plan and where do I start?

Good action research plans need to be focused on practical ideas for several reasons.  First, it will increase the interest in the idea and as well as increase the focus on accomplishing the research project.  The students will benefit from this on a much higher level.  Also, the research plan needs to be data driven.  Changes based on accurate data results should result in an increase in student learning which, ultimately, is an administrator’s goal.  The more practical the idea, the better the data, the increase in interest, and the stronger the focus implemented will increase the improvement of student learning and strengthen the academic efforts of the school. I did not realize how important it was to apply these principles to the idea of action research, but it makes sense.  As a future administrator, I feel these ideals behind action research could nothing but strengthen a school, its staff, and its students. 

In developing a place to begin an action research plan, an administrator should look in the areas of staff development, curriculum development, individual teacher, individual student, school culture and/or community, leadership, management, school performance, or social justice.  Developing an action research plan in one of these key areas will be beneficial to, not only the researcher, but also the entire school.  (Dana, pg 30)