The Action Research in Education course—developed under the NISHTHA framework by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Ministry of Education—equips teachers, headmasters, and educational administrators with systematic inquiry skills to solve immediate classroom challenges.

This comprehensive guide delivers the complete, verified answer key across all course units: Module 1, Module 2, Module 3, and Module 4, supported by Kurt Lewin’s research cycle, APA 7th edition formatting rules, and NCERT evaluation standards.

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Master Course Overview & Metrics

Parameter	Official Specification
Course Name	NISHTHA / DIKSHA Action Research in Education
Governing Bodies	Ministry of Education, NCERT, State Education Boards
Core Pioneer	Kurt Lewin (1946) — Cyclical Spiral Model
Passing Benchmark	Minimum 70% score across assessments for certification
Target Audience	School Teachers, Headmasters, Educational Officers

Module 1: Introduction & Fundamentals of Action Research

Check Your Understanding 01

Q1: Action research is the improvement in ________. (theory / practices)

• Correct Answer: Practices
• Technical Context: Unlike pure fundamental research aimed at theoretical expansion, Action Research focuses on refining day-to-day instructional methods and classroom delivery.

Q2: Action research is participant-driven, reflective, and ________. (collaborative / solitary)

• Correct Answer: Collaborative
• Technical Context: Practitioners work alongside colleagues, students, and school leadership to analyze learning deficits and test shared interventions.

Q3: ________ is research based on people’s real-world experience. (Fundamental Research / Action Research)

• Correct Answer: Action Research
• Technical Context: Originates from localized, real-world operational scenarios rather than controlled laboratory environments.

Q4: Action Research was created by Kurt Lewin.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option A: True
• Technical Context: German-American psychologist Kurt Lewin coined the term in the mid-1940s, defining it as a spiraling process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting.

Q5: Action Research is not conducted in a specific context.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option B: False
• Technical Context: Action Research is strictly context-specific, addressing localized issues within a targeted school or grade level.

Q6: Fundamental research is done by outside specialists, while action research is done by people who want to evaluate their work situation.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option A: True
• Technical Context: Fundamental research relies on external academic scholars seeking universal laws, whereas action research is internal practitioner-led inquiry.

Q7: Action Research ________.

• Options: Option A: Improves theory | Option B: Generates theory | Option C: Invents principles | Option D: Improves practices
• Correct Answer: Option D: Improves practices
• Technical Context: The core operational objective is immediate, measurable practice improvement in local classrooms.

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Check Your Understanding 02

Q1: Action Research is not a justification of one’s teaching practices.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option A: True
• Technical Context: Action research demands objective evaluation and self-reflection, not defensive validation of existing teaching habits.

Q2: Action Research is non-cooperative.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option B: False
• Technical Context: Cooperative peer feedback and teamwork define the methodology.

Q3: Action Research is a critical analysis of educational theory.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option B: False
• Technical Context: While informed by theory, the primary focus is practical classroom problem-solving.

Q4: Action Research is practical and relevant to classroom teachers.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option A: True
• Technical Context: Provides immediate, tailored solutions directly applicable to daily teaching routines.

Q5: Action Research is a process involving educators working together to improve their practices.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option A: True
• Technical Context: Teams conduct peer observations and joint reflections to elevate institutional performance.

Q6: Action Research is never context-specific.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option B: False
• Technical Context: Local context is the foundational boundary of all action research designs.

Q7: Fundamental Research is usually conducted to establish broad generalizations whereas Action Research is conducted to improve practices.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option A: True
• Technical Context: Distinguishes universal scientific law generation from localized operational application.

Q8: Fundamental Research is done by people who want to evaluate their work situation, whereas Action Research is done by outside specialists.

• Options: Option A: True | Option B: False
• Correct Answer: Option B: False
• Technical Context: Statement reverses the roles; teachers lead action research, while external academics lead fundamental research.

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Fundamental Research vs. Action Research Matrix

Feature	Fundamental Research	Action Research
Primary Goal	Formulate or expand universal theories	Solve immediate local problems & improve practices
Lead Researcher	External academic specialist	Internal classroom practitioner / teacher
Setting	Controlled laboratory / generalized	Local school / specific classroom
Outcome	Generalizable scientific principles	Actionable, real-time instructional solutions

Module 2: Methodology, Research Design & Assessment

Check Your Understanding 03

• Q1: Action Research adopts ________ methodology.
  • Answer: Quantitative or Qualitative (Adapts mixed-methods based on classroom data requirements).
• Q2: Action Research follows ________ research design.
  • Answer: Scientific (Adheres to systematic problem isolation, hypothesis generation, and evidence collection).
• Q3: Action Research experiments with the ________.
  • Answer: Situation (Tests real-world teaching environments rather than isolated laboratory variables).
• Q4: Action research tries to solve the problem of ________.
  • Answer: Practitioners (Focuses on operational hurdles faced directly by educators).
• Q5: In Action Research, ________ is the researcher.
  • Answer: Teacher (The internal practitioner conducts the inquiry).
• Q6: Action Research is a ________ enquiry.
  • Answer: Self-reflective (Requires continuous self-assessment of teaching methods).
• Q7: Action Research is ________ in nature.
  • Answer: Formative (Constructive and ongoing rather than conclusive/summative).
• Q8: The process of Action Research is ________.
  • Answer: Cyclic (Operates in a continuous spiral: Plan $\rightarrow$ Act $\rightarrow$ Observe $\rightarrow$ Reflect).
• Q9: The Action Research adopts methodology ________.
  • Answer: of its own (Flexible framework not bound by rigid scientific discipline constraints).

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Formative Assessment 02

Q1: ‘Action’ in Action Research implies –

• Options: Option A: Theory | Option B: Research Paper | Option C: Change | Option D: Delay
• Correct Answer: Option C: Change
• Technical Context: Implies introducing deliberate pedagogical interventions to produce positive learning shifts.

Q2: Educational Action Research is – i) a research for the teachers, ii) a research by the teachers, iii) a research of the teachers

• Options: Option A: (i) and (ii) are true | Option B: (ii) and (iii) are true | Option C: (i), (ii) and (iii) are true | Option D: Only (i) is true
• Correct Answer: Option C: (i), (ii) and (iii) are true
• Technical Context: Represents the holistic tri-fold definition of practitioner inquiry.

Q3: Main objective of Action Research is –

• Options: Option A: Publication | Option B: Degree Completion | Option C: Improvement | Option D: Theoretical Expansion
• Correct Answer: Option C: Improvement
• Technical Context: Directly targets institutional and classroom quality enhancement.

Q4: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Action Research?

• Options: Option A: Classroom-focused problem solving | Option B: Helps in personal behaviour modification | Option C: Practitioner-led evaluation | Option D: Context-specific implementation
• Correct Answer: Option B: Helps in personal Behaviour modification
• Technical Context: Focuses on professional instruction and learning outcomes, not psychological therapy.

Q5: Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with Action Research?

• Options: Option A: Lack of time | Option B: Teachers do not opt for a research project and apply for research grant. What can I do? | Option C: Lack of training | Option D: Difficulty in measuring qualitative progress
• Correct Answer: Option B: Teachers do not opt for a research project and apply for research grant. What can I do?
• Technical Context: Action research operates within routine teaching hours without requiring external research grants.

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Module 3: Research Methodology, Evaluation Tools & Execution

Check Your Understanding 04: Test Classification & Validity

• Q1: The test which is not on the basis of purpose ________.
  • Answer: Speed tests (Speed and Power tests are classified by time and difficulty limits; Diagnostic, Proficiency, and Aptitude tests are classified by purpose).
• Q2: The test which is on the basis of process ________.
  • Answer: Performance tests (Evaluates practical execution of tasks).
• Q3: Which is not the type of validity?
  • Answer: Practicability (Practicability is an operational quality regarding usability/cost, not a measure of validity).

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Check Your Understanding 05: Data Collection Instruments

• Q1: Which of the following is not a characteristic of Action Research?
  • Answer: All of the given options (Attitude scale, Likert scale, Rating scale) (These are data collection tools, not process characteristics).
• Q2: Find the odd one out: Types of reliability
  • Answer: Validity (Test-retest and Alternate forms are reliability types; Validity is a separate accuracy metric).
• Q3: Find the odd one out: Types of observation schedule
  • Answer: Planned Observation (Structured and Participant observations are formal research typologies).
• Q4: Find the odd one out: Types of questionnaires
  • Answer: Unstructured (Questionnaires are formally categorized by item design into Open Form and Close Form).

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Check Your Understanding 06: Sequential Process Analysis

Q: Arrange the steps of Action Research in the correct sequence:

1. Methods of Research
2. Formulation of the hypothesis
3. Data Collection
4. Data Analysis
5. Identification of Problem

• Options: Option A: (iii), (iv), (v), (ii), (i) | Option B: (ii), (iv), (v), (iii), (i) | Option C: (v), (iv), (i), (iii), (ii) | Option D: (v), (ii), (i), (iii), (iv)
• Correct Answer: Option D: (v), (ii), (i), (iii), (iv)

Logical Step Sequence

1. (v) Identification of Problem: Isolate the specific classroom gap.
2. (ii) Formulation of Hypothesis: Propose an intervention prediction.
3. (i) Methods of Research: Select evaluation tools and sample groups.
4. (iii) Data Collection: Execute intervention and gather field data.
5. (iv) Data Analysis: Evaluate outcomes against the baseline hypothesis.

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Module 4: Research Reporting, Citation & Dissemination

Check Your Understanding 07

• Q1: Reason why principal could not explain English teacher’s research:
  • Answer: Ms. Mathur did not do documentation of her research (Undocumented findings cannot be shared or replicated).
• Q2: Best way for teacher to reach more peers with chat tool findings:
  • Answer: Write a report and keep it in the library (Establishes an accessible institutional knowledge repository).
• Q3: Correct way of writing in-text citation for Dr. Mashelkar (1985):
  • Answer: Mashelkar (1985) has given Panchsheel which will be useful for transforming Indian society. (APA rules mandate omitting honorific titles like “Dr.” and first name initials in narrative text).
• Q4: Research Report has to be:
  • Answer: i, ii, and iii (Logical, Objective, Concise; unnecessary technical jargon must be avoided).
• Q5: Research report has to be written in:
  • Answer: Past tense (Reports document completed research procedures).
• Q6: Allowed abbreviation in research report:
  • Answer: Etc. (Standard Latin abbreviation; informal shorthand like “St.” or “Tr.” is forbidden).
• Q7: Purpose of conducting a Review of Related Literature:
  • Answer: iii & iv (Lays theoretical foundation and shows how current study differs from prior works).
• Q8: Purpose of having a table of contents:
  • Answer: Locate quickly the desired part of the research
• Q9: Reason for conducting action research is mentioned in:
  • Answer: Rationale of the study
• Q10: Review of Related Literature is included in which part:
  • Answer: Body (Forms a core chapter inside the Main Body).
• Q11: Objectives of the study are derived from:
  • Answer: Title
• Q12: The sampling part of the research report should describe:
  • Answer: i, ii and iii (Sample size, sampling technique, and sample characteristics).
• Q13: Most important part of an action research report for peer practitioners:
  • Answer: Action plan and its implementation

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Formative Assessment 04

Q#	Reporting Statement	Verified Choice	Core Academic Rationale
1	All research material is included in the appendix	False	Main body holds core analysis; appendix holds raw supporting data.
2	Figures help readers understand research	True	Visual charts clarify complex quantitative patterns.
3	Each table and figure should have an appropriate title	True	Ensures standalone readability without main text cross-referencing.
4	Findings without discussion show lack of understanding	True	Discussion translates raw statistics into pedagogical meaning.
5	Report without action plan description is useful	False	The action plan provides the operational blueprint for replication.
6	No need to include data analysis procedure details	False	Transparent analysis steps guarantee scientific validity.
7	Report without list of references is incomplete	True	References acknowledge sources and prevent academic plagiarism.
8	APA style referencing is essential	True	Standardized formatting ensures academic uniformity.

Certificate Generation Checklist on DIKSHA

1. Log In: Open the official DIKSHA Platform or mobile app with state-registered teacher credentials.
2. Access Dashboard: Navigate to My Courses $\rightarrow$ Action Research in Education.
3. Submit Unit Quizzes: Complete all Check Your Understanding modules and submit final assessments using the verified answer keys above.
4. Validate Passing Threshold: Confirm a minimum score of 70% (14/20 or higher) on summative attempts.
5. Download Certificate: Go to your Profile tab after 24–48 hours to view and download your digitally verified completion certificate.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the primary difference between Action Research and Fundamental Research?

Action Research is conducted by internal practitioners to solve localized classroom issues immediately, whereas Fundamental Research is conducted by external academics to establish universal theories.

Why does APA citation format omit honorific titles like “Dr.” or “Prof.”?

APA guidelines standardize citations to focus strictly on objective attribution (author surname and publication year), eliminating titles or initials within body text citations.

What are the four core phases of Kurt Lewin’s Action Research cycle?

Kurt Lewin’s model follows a continuous, spiraling four-stage cycle: Plan $\rightarrow$ Act $\rightarrow$ Observe $\rightarrow$ Reflect.