Data analysis is a critical element of the research process. When data are analyzed accurately, the findings and results are more reliable and valid. Varied strategies and models are available for analyzing data.

In this assignment, you will compose a plan for how you will analyze the data you will collect for your action research proposal. You will also propose an action plan for future implementation; discuss reliability, validity, and trustworthiness related to your proposed study; identify and reflect on a potential target audience who may benefit from the study’s findings and results; and reflect on the action research process and action planning.

Step 1. Access and Review
Access and review the Action Research Proposal Overview page, the Action Research Proposal Outline (linked on the Module 1 Learning Objects page), and the draft of your Module 3 assignment.

Step 2. Identify
Identify the data analysis model (qualitative) or plan including software and tests (quantitative) you will use for your study. See the Learning Objects page for examples of data analysis resources.

Step 3. Describe
Describe the data analysis process and include the steps you will use to complete the process. The steps you take will depend on whether your methodology is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. What data analysis model would you use for your collected data? See the Learning Objects page for ideas on data analysis models you could follow based on the type of data you would collect (quantitative or qualitative) and what you want to learn from the data.

Step 4. Complete and Summarize
Complete the Proposed Implementation Action Plan template linked on the Learning Objects page. Then summarize the key ideas in the Proposed Implementation Action Plan. Include and reference the action plan in your proposal as Appendix A. NOTE: You will not carry out the implementation plan in this course.

Step 5. Communicating the Results
In the Module 4 Discussion, you addressed the prompt of describing the target audience with whom you will communicate the results and why you selected this audience. The audience of stakeholders you select should be able to benefit from the action research study results. For example, the audience may be the study participants, the leadership of the organization, or both.

Step 6. Define and Explain
In the Reliability, Validity, and Ethics section, define reliability and validity as related to your proposed study. Identify and explain the strategies you will use to achieve reliability and validity in a quantitative study; strategies to achieve trustworthiness (dependability, confirmability, credibility, and transferability) in a qualitative study; or a combination of strategies in a mixed-methods study. See the Learning Objects page for reliability and validity resources. In this section, make a case for how your collected data would be reliable and valid data on which to base decisions.

Define and explain how you will address the three ethical principles of The Belmont Report—respect of persons, beneficence, and justice. Emphasize the importance of these principles when conducting research with human participants. The Belmont Report is addressed in the presentation videos. Explain how you would protect those who are the subjects or participants in your research study, including protecting the privacy and safety (physical, social, emotional) of all subjects involved in the research.

Step 7. Reflect
Reflect in 1-2 paragraphs on what you have learned in this course about action research and action planning. How can this knowledge be of benefit to your professional practice and/or your workplace?

Step 8. Compile
Compile these research procedures sections of your action research proposal using these subheadings:

Data Analysis Plans
Implementation Action Plan
Communication Plans
Reliability, Validity, and Ethics
Reflection