A Step-By-Step Guide to Conducting Action Research
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 278
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 278
Choose Your Format
Print Package
$99.00 USD
Ebook
$80.00 USD
This book provides a comprehensive guide to designing, conducting, writing, and publishing an action research dissertation using a practitioner-focused approach. Beginning with the foundations of action research, the text introduces qualitative and quantitative research methods before guiding readers through each component of the dissertation process, including front matter preparation, literature review development, research design, data collection, analysis, findings, and conclusions. Practical writing strategies, templates, examples, and APA formatting guidance are incorporated throughout to support novice and experienced researchers alike. The book concludes with recommendations for preparing research manuscripts for publication, helping scholars and practitioners transform their findings into contributions that advance knowledge and improve professional practice.
A Note to Institution Leadership
American Psychological Association Format
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction to Action Research
Introduction to Action Research
Action Research Defined
Action Research Design
Reasons to Conduct Action Research
Action Research Dissertation Outline
Steps to Conduct Action Research
Four Core Elements
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Qualitative Research Approaches
Introduction
Interviews and Focus Groups
Questionnaires
Observations
Document Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Quantitative Research Approaches
Introduction
Quantitative Surveys
Quantitative Observations
Quantitative Document Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter 4: How to Write the Front Matter
Introduction
How to Write the Front Matter
How to Write a Research Title
How to Write the Title Page
How to Write the Approval Page
How to Write the Table of Contents
How to Write the Abstract
How to Write the List of Tables
How to Write the List of Figures
How to Write the List of Abbreviations
Conclusion
Chapter 5: How to Write Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Site Context
How to Write the Introduction to the Problem
How to Write the Purpose Statement
How to Write the Significance of the Research
How to Write the Definitions
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 6: How to Write Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction
How to Analyze and Synthesize Scholarly Literature
Contents of a Literature Review
How to Locate Scholarly Sources
Steps to Compose a Literature Review
How to Write a Literature Review Outline
How to Write a Literature Review
How to Narrow a Gap in Existing Literature
How to Become More Informed Regarding Your Research Topic
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Theoretical Framework
How to Write the Related Literature
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 7: How to Write Chapter 3: Methods
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Research Question
How to Write the Role of the Researcher
Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Permission to Conduct the Research
How to Write the Setting and Participants
How to Write the Proposed Solution
How to Write the Research Methods
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 8: How to Write Chapter 4: Findings
Introduction
How to Analyze Data
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Implementation Procedures
How to Write the Findings
How to Write the Discussion of the Findings
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 9: How to Write Chapter 5: Conclusions
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Analysis of the Research Design
How to Write the Research Question Responses
How to Write the Future Recommendations
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 10: How to Prepare Your Manuscript for Journal Submission
Introduction
How to Prepare Your Manuscript for Journal Submission
Steps to Publish Your Research
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix A: Action Research Dissertation Template
Appendix B: Individual Scholarly Works Template
Appendix C: Comparative Scholarly Works Template
Glossary
References
Index
Dr. Bunnie L. Claxton is the founder and chief executive officer of Dissertation Research Specialist, a company that supports the implementation of doctoral programs in universities around the world. She currently serves as a consultant to universities regarding dissertation research to assist with program development, course development, and faculty training. She also provides support to doctoral candidates through her website www.dissertationspecialist.com. She is an adjunct instructor, subject matter expert, and dissertation chair for multiple universities. She is an international speaker, and she presented her research at Oxford University and Cambridge University in 2025. She was the keynote speaker for the World Conference on Teaching and Education in Berlin, Germany. Formerly, she served as the director of applied doctoral research at Liberty University. Dr. Claxton has been involved in the field of education since 1994, including public school, private school, home school, and higher education. Dr. Claxton served as the superintendent for Liberty University Online Academy, an online K–12 school with over 16,000 students, and she currently serves on the board of directors. She is the author of 20 textbooks and is best known for her Step-by-Step textbook series. A few titles include A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Applied Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Qualitative Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Quantitative Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Literature Review for Doctoral Research, and A Step-by-Step Introduction to Research Methods: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed-Methods, and Applied.
Dr. Steven D. Peterson serves as the 10th president of Bluefield University in Bluefield, Virginia. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, Dr. Peterson has held senior roles in enrollment management, online education, and university advancement. Before becoming president of Bluefield University, Dr. Peterson led online and graduate education initiatives, including launching Houston Christian University’s Pampell Online Division. Earlier in his career, he worked at Liberty University, where he helped oversee one of the largest online education operations, contributing to enrollment growth of over 100,000 students and helping expand academic programs to more than 250 programs. Dr. Peterson has expertise in higher education strategy, digital learning, enrollment growth, and institutional development. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with universities to expand academic programs, enhance enrollment strategies, and create sustainable models for institutional growth. In addition to his administrative leadership, he often speaks and consults on issues related to higher education leadership, online learning, and institutional development strategy.
This book provides a comprehensive guide to designing, conducting, writing, and publishing an action research dissertation using a practitioner-focused approach. Beginning with the foundations of action research, the text introduces qualitative and quantitative research methods before guiding readers through each component of the dissertation process, including front matter preparation, literature review development, research design, data collection, analysis, findings, and conclusions. Practical writing strategies, templates, examples, and APA formatting guidance are incorporated throughout to support novice and experienced researchers alike. The book concludes with recommendations for preparing research manuscripts for publication, helping scholars and practitioners transform their findings into contributions that advance knowledge and improve professional practice.
A Note to Institution Leadership
American Psychological Association Format
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction to Action Research
Introduction to Action Research
Action Research Defined
Action Research Design
Reasons to Conduct Action Research
Action Research Dissertation Outline
Steps to Conduct Action Research
Four Core Elements
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Qualitative Research Approaches
Introduction
Interviews and Focus Groups
Questionnaires
Observations
Document Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Quantitative Research Approaches
Introduction
Quantitative Surveys
Quantitative Observations
Quantitative Document Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter 4: How to Write the Front Matter
Introduction
How to Write the Front Matter
How to Write a Research Title
How to Write the Title Page
How to Write the Approval Page
How to Write the Table of Contents
How to Write the Abstract
How to Write the List of Tables
How to Write the List of Figures
How to Write the List of Abbreviations
Conclusion
Chapter 5: How to Write Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Site Context
How to Write the Introduction to the Problem
How to Write the Purpose Statement
How to Write the Significance of the Research
How to Write the Definitions
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 6: How to Write Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction
How to Analyze and Synthesize Scholarly Literature
Contents of a Literature Review
How to Locate Scholarly Sources
Steps to Compose a Literature Review
How to Write a Literature Review Outline
How to Write a Literature Review
How to Narrow a Gap in Existing Literature
How to Become More Informed Regarding Your Research Topic
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Theoretical Framework
How to Write the Related Literature
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 7: How to Write Chapter 3: Methods
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Research Question
How to Write the Role of the Researcher
Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Permission to Conduct the Research
How to Write the Setting and Participants
How to Write the Proposed Solution
How to Write the Research Methods
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 8: How to Write Chapter 4: Findings
Introduction
How to Analyze Data
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Implementation Procedures
How to Write the Findings
How to Write the Discussion of the Findings
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 9: How to Write Chapter 5: Conclusions
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Analysis of the Research Design
How to Write the Research Question Responses
How to Write the Future Recommendations
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 10: How to Prepare Your Manuscript for Journal Submission
Introduction
How to Prepare Your Manuscript for Journal Submission
Steps to Publish Your Research
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix A: Action Research Dissertation Template
Appendix B: Individual Scholarly Works Template
Appendix C: Comparative Scholarly Works Template
Glossary
References
Index
Dr. Bunnie L. Claxton is the founder and chief executive officer of Dissertation Research Specialist, a company that supports the implementation of doctoral programs in universities around the world. She currently serves as a consultant to universities regarding dissertation research to assist with program development, course development, and faculty training. She also provides support to doctoral candidates through her website www.dissertationspecialist.com. She is an adjunct instructor, subject matter expert, and dissertation chair for multiple universities. She is an international speaker, and she presented her research at Oxford University and Cambridge University in 2025. She was the keynote speaker for the World Conference on Teaching and Education in Berlin, Germany. Formerly, she served as the director of applied doctoral research at Liberty University. Dr. Claxton has been involved in the field of education since 1994, including public school, private school, home school, and higher education. Dr. Claxton served as the superintendent for Liberty University Online Academy, an online K–12 school with over 16,000 students, and she currently serves on the board of directors. She is the author of 20 textbooks and is best known for her Step-by-Step textbook series. A few titles include A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Applied Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Qualitative Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Quantitative Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Literature Review for Doctoral Research, and A Step-by-Step Introduction to Research Methods: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed-Methods, and Applied.
Dr. Steven D. Peterson serves as the 10th president of Bluefield University in Bluefield, Virginia. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, Dr. Peterson has held senior roles in enrollment management, online education, and university advancement. Before becoming president of Bluefield University, Dr. Peterson led online and graduate education initiatives, including launching Houston Christian University’s Pampell Online Division. Earlier in his career, he worked at Liberty University, where he helped oversee one of the largest online education operations, contributing to enrollment growth of over 100,000 students and helping expand academic programs to more than 250 programs. Dr. Peterson has expertise in higher education strategy, digital learning, enrollment growth, and institutional development. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with universities to expand academic programs, enhance enrollment strategies, and create sustainable models for institutional growth. In addition to his administrative leadership, he often speaks and consults on issues related to higher education leadership, online learning, and institutional development strategy.