First Published in 2000. Based on the real-life experiences of teachers and student teachers using action research for the first time, this introductory text demystifies the issues commonly faced by the novice researcher. In an accessible and user-friendly style, the author explains how: the principles of action research can be effectively applied; small scale classroom research can discover important cues to aid learning; to implement action research in different curricular areas, individually or in groups, and with children of different abilities; the whole endeavour can be structured to form an undergraduate or postgraduate thesis. This book, which is suitable for use in nursery, primary and secondary schools, will be invaluable to any education professional wishing to progress from observing what happens in the classroom, to actually explaining why.