Data Mining and Learning Analytics

CHAPTER 5DATA MINING AND ACTION RESEARCH

Ellina Chernobilsky, Edith Ries, and Joanne Jasmine

Division of Education, Caldwell University, Caldwell, NJ, USA

In this chapter we examine action research and determine how the principles of educational data mining (EDM) can be applied to this form of research. EDM is a new approach of looking at data. It is predominantly technologically oriented and is concerned with using computerized methods in order to discover patterns in sets of educational data (Romero & Ventura, 2013). The focus of EDM investigations is often, but not always, the discovery of new ways of learning and teaching that tend to rely heavily on technology. Thus, it is suggested here that as educators begin to incorporate technology more and more into elementary and secondary curricula, they might consider adapting their research strategies and study designs in such a way as to mesh the principles of EDM and action research. Action research has taken its roots from the work of Lewin (1951), and since then the researchers and practitioners have had a chance to understand that one of the strengths of such a research process is that it enables the educator to focus on the actual classroom and the improvement of instruction within that classroom. Blending the two research methods opens a way for educators to discover new approaches to classroom research.

Action research is a type of applied research involving a process of informed action to make decisions based on knowledge ...