Colleges and employers look for involvement in extra-curricular and volunteer activities. An action research project is a great way to impress potential employers and graduate school admission boards. Action research shows a student is able to take a hypothesis about a social problem and turn it into a productive volunteering activity. Action research is more intensive than volunteering. It demonstrates a student can make a plan, put the plan into action and analyze the results. Prospective employers in the social sciences and international affairs fields specifically look for students that know how to do action research and have experience working on projects involving action research.
Many colleges now offer academic credit for action research volunteering. Credit is usually offered through an independent study course in which the student chooses their plan of study and has a faculty advisor to help them through the process and track progress. The amount of credit offered depends on how many hours per week the student spends working on the project or in the field. Students may choose to work individually or in a group.
Action research is a great way to network with professionals in your field of interest. Choose a project that relates to your career goals. For example, if you plan on going to medical school, do an action research project at a hospital. Action research requires that you speak to many different people from administrators to part-time employees. Building relationships with people in your field is one of the best ways to get references for your college application and job offers post-graduation.
Educators may choose to offer prizes and awards for the best action research projects as incentive to get students involved. Usually a good grade is the only incentive they offer, but some schools may offer money or other prizes to encourage more students to volunteer. Ideas for awards include "most hours volunteered", "most surprising results" or "best action plan". Be cautious of offering prizes and awards, however, because it may spur unhealthy competition in the classroom and draw students away from the true purpose of action research, which is to make a difference in the community.