chapter three theoretical framework …（第三章理论框架u2026）.pdfVIP

CHAPTER THREE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND FORMULATION OF A RESEARCH PLAN 3.1 The Study’s Conceptual Framework In this chapter, I will present a brief history of action research and how this research design has evolved into a widely used educational research model. As the focus of my research is how I go about improving my principal’s role to improve students’ literacy, I will describe why other research models did not provide me with a framework to conduct an analysis of my daily work in context while I sought answers to the problems our school posed. It was this realization that led me to construct an action research model, in which my professional readings, reflections and critical conversations became meaningful to me as I embarked on creating my own living educational theory about my principalship. I will define “living educational theory” as developed by Whitehead and I will outline why this theoretical framework provides both the necessary conceptual grounding and validation process required for my study. In reviewing my ethical stance, I will examine how the experiences of other leaders in a practitioner research role assisted me in safeguarding against any perceived misuse of power caused when a principal collects data from her staff. These discussions close with my rationale for choosing to conceptually frame my action research design with living educational theory. It is my contribution to living educational theory that adds knowledge about educational leadership to the field of education. I will conclude this chapter with a discussion on how I incorporated action research methodology into my study’s research plan and I will explain my plan’s evolution in the field. 58 3.1.1 Evolution of Action Research As professionals in the fields of social sciences and the humanities began to inquire into their own practices, research methodologies designed for the pure sciences began to fit less well