Transcript EDD/581 Action Research Project (insert your name)

EDD/581
Action Research Proposal
Shalanda A. Campbell
EDD/581
Susan Gertel
January 12, 2014
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Table of Content

Problem Statement
 Problem Description
o Problem Description Continue
o Problem Description Continue
 Purpose of the Project
 Writer’s Role
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Action Research Proposal
Problem Statement
 The problem is the high percentage of
Sectek security officers who fail their
weapons qualification test. Upon narrowing
of the problem, an intervention will be
implemented.
(Google, 2014)
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Problem Description

Annual weapons qualification required

Poor supervision

Poor leadership

Unpaid probation for unqualified officers

Increased hours for qualified officers

Costly remedial training

Develop company training

Collective Bargaining Agreement
(Google, 2014)
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Purpose of the Project

The purpose of this project is to help
Sectek security officers improve their
shooting qualification scores.

The purpose for this project is to help
managers and trainers improve operation
readiness from the collected data.
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Writer’s Role



Develop, revise, and implement company training
plans
Weapons qualification is critical to daily tasks
Revamp training plans through technology
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Problem Documentation
Data Collection
The purpose is to collect data to identify why Sectek security officers
fail the initial weapon qualification test

Participant Observation
Researchers observe behaviors, attitudes,
and events
(Stringer, 2008)
Researchers observe trainer’s teaching
styles and officers’ responses
 Researchers observe practice and
qualification shooting
 Observations are bi-monthly for an hour

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Problem Documentation
Data Collection
Records
 Records provide invaluable information
(Stringer, 2008) to verify that a problem
exists
 Records provide insight to the increasing
failure rate.
 Records confirm officers fail the initial
weapon qualification exam
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Problem Documentation
Data Collection
Materials, Equipment, and Facilities

Reviewing materials, equipment, and
facilities provide input to the study
 Outdated
weapon modules
 Incomplete informational hand-outs
 Unserviceable equipment
 Scarce amount of training weapons
 Defective gun holsters
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Problem Documentation
Survey
SECTEK SECURITY QUALITY SCALE
SURVEY PARTICIANTS
 Officers
 High
percentage of the company
employees are officers
 Safety, security, and surveillance
 Officers maintain qualifications for
employment
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Problem Documentation
Survey
SECTEK SECURITY QUALITY SCALE
SURVEY PARTICIANTS
 Training Staff
 Trainers
are certified through the
state of Virginia
 Trainers conduct security and
public safety training
 Training certifications are annually
updated
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Problem Documentation
Survey
SECTEK SECURITY QUALITY SCALE
SURVEY PARTICIANTS

Range Officials
 Certified
private weapon instructors
 May provide insight to low qualification
scores
 Assist shooters with fundamentals
 Provide support to training officers
 Maintain records
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Problem Documentation
Survey
SECTEK SECURITY QUALITY
SCALE SURVEY
Major Elements to Explore
Feedback on training weapon
qualification test
 Prior
 During
 Post
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SECTEK SECURITY
QUALITY SCALE SURVEY
(Personal information will remain anonymous)
Name:
Age:
(Google, 2014)
Gender:

For each item identified below, circle the number to
the right that best fits your judgment of its quality.

Use the rating scale to select the quality number.
Circle NA if you choose not to answer this question.
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SECTEK SECURITY
QUALITY SCALE SURVEY
Survey Item Scale

Poor
Good
Excellent
1. Prior to your weapon qualification test: Was the
classroom training on weapon nomenclature and safety
regulations thoroughly conducted?

NA 1
2
3
4
5
2. Prior to your weapon qualification test: Were you allotted
at least 10 hours of paid weapon training (practice firing on
the range, assembling, and dissembling the weapon)?

NA
1
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3
4
5
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SECTEK SECURITY
QUALITY SCALE SURVEY
3. Prior to your weapon qualification test: Based on the training
received, were all questions and concerns clearly addressed?

NA
1
2
3
4
5
4. During the weapon qualification test: Does the Training Official
provide a briefing on safety procedures for weapon malfunctions
that you are comfortable performing without assistance?

NA
1
2
3
4
5
5. During the weapon qualification test: Are officers allotted
additional time to shoot missed portions of the timed qualification
test?

NA
1
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4
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SECTEK SECURITY
QUALITY SCALE SURVEY
6. Immediately after the weapon qualification test: Are officers
provided with qualification results and immediate requalification (for
officers who failed) procedures? (Immediate requalification)

NA
1
2
3
4
7. Post qualification test: Are officers provided at least 72 (paid)
hours of remedial training to uncover problem areas in addition to 4
(paid) hours of shooting time at Maryland Small Arms?

NA
1
2
3
4
5
8. Post qualification test: Are officers allotted at least 15 (paid)
business days to complete remedial training and an optional 3 days
(without pay) to focus on problem areas?

NA
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SECTEK SECURITY
QUALITY SCALE SURVEY
9. Post qualification test: Are Training Officials supportive
in ensuring officers’ comprehension and comfort level with
the weapon system?

NA
1
2
3
4
5
(Google, 2014)
10. Prior to requalification test: Are officers briefed on
remedial firing procedures and ramifications of a third
weapon’s qualification failure? (The second failure is the
immediate requalification)

NA
1
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SECTEK SECURITY
QUALITY SCALE SURVEY
Please provide any additional comments and feedback on
current training. Your feedback is paramount to our
company’s ability to provide adequate weapon’s training
that prepare officers to pass their weapon qualification test
on the FIRST attempt.
Please provide feedback for the following areas:
Prior
to your weapon qualification test
Post
qualification test
Provide
suggestions/feedback on ANY AREA of training
that is not mentioned
Provide suggestions/feedback on other personnel (PM/DPM)
that should be surveyed and why
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SECTEK SECURITY
QUALITY SCALE SURVEY
Any Questions?
Thank you for your participation
Lieutenant Campbell
(Google, 2014)
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Literature Review
Authors of
the study
Title of
the
study
Purpose
of the
study
Pertinent
findings that
support your
project
Eric Stringer
Gathering
Data:
Sources of
Information
Prepare
researchers
for a
qualitative
study
o
Action
research in a
non-profit
agency
school setting:
Analyzing the
adoption of an
innovation
after initial
training and
coaching.
Participant
training prior to
conducting an
action research
project
o Diverse learning
strategies
o Data Collection
methods
Elena
SandovalLucero,
Joanna Maes,
& Georgia
Pappas
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Elements for a
Qualitative study
Implementation of
various elements
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Literature Review
Authors
of the
study
Title of the Purpose of
study
the study
Pertinent
findings that
support your
project
University
of Phoenix
The Perceived
Differences in
Interdepartment
Communication
Regarding
Organizational
Formalization: a
Case Study of an
International
Company.
Develop
mitigation
methods to
communication
o
Teacher
development
through action
research: a Case
study in focused
action research
Teach
participants
learning
strategies,
thinking and
questioning
skills, and study
skills
Graham
Perrett
Action Research Project
o
o
Participants receive
training on
development and
organization learning
activities
Group members differ;
therefore, effective
communication is
hindered
The first part of the study
introduces participants to
various learning
strategies while the
second part of the study
is the action research
which implements a plan
that improves student 22
learning
Literature Review
Authors Title of the
of the
study
study
Purpose of
the study
Pertinent
findings that
support your
project
Clifford
Lazarus
Simple Keys to
Effective
Communication
To explain the
key
components of
effectively
communicating
o
Communication
methods are taught to
site trainers
U.S.
Training
Group
Milo System
To provide
information on
a simulated
weapon system
o
Participants will use the
Milo System as a training
and development tool
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Action Goal
 The
goal of the intervention is to
increase Sectek Security officers’
weapon qualification scores. A threeprong intervention will be implemented
to meet the goal, which includes
officer’s weapon training, weapon
instructors’ training, and scheduled
observations.
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Selected Solutions
Sectek Security Officers

Classroom Training



GLOCK 19
Use of Force Continuum
Weapon


Assemble & Disassemble
Assessments
Action Research Proposal
(Google, 2014)
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Selected Solutions
(Google, 2014)
Sectek Security Officers

Milo Range System Training



Interactive System
30 minute training sessions
Officers:
 Successful Shooter (Advanced)
 On the Fence Shooter (Intermediate)
 Immediate Assistance (Beginner)
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Selected Solutions
Sectek Security Officers

Maryland Small Arms Shooting Range Training
(Google, 2014)
2
½ hour practice shooting session
Trainers

Prepare the Range
 Explain course of fire
 Observe
Range
Officials

Safety Briefing
 Call the course of fire
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Selected Solutions
Sectek Security Trainers

Train the Trainer Course

8 hour training session
 Corporate Trainers

Training Site Trainers

Diverse Learners
 Effective Communication

Site Trainers

Assessments
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Calendar Plan
Calendar Plan
 Include a week-by-week, operational calendar plan,
such as appears in Figures 6.3 and 6.4 in Chapter 6.
Include specific directions on how you will
implement each component of your action research
study. You will use the calendar and specific
directions for the implementation phase.
 Remember to give the reader the following
information:






when the study will begin
who will be involved
at what points specific aspects of your plan should occur
the duration of each component of your plan
how often and when you will evaluate results.
Present the plan as Week One, Week Two, etc.
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Expected Outcomes
Sectek Security Officers
Officers Improve:



Shooting fundamentals
Immediate action drills
Remedial action strategies
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Expected Outcomes
Sectek Security Trainers
Six Trainers learn and execute:



Milo Range System
Effective communicate skills
Diverse training methods
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Expected Outcomes
Sectek Security Range Officials
Four Range Officials assist in:

Shooting positions

Immediate & Remedial Action Drills
(Google, 2014)
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Measurement of Outcomes
Sectek Security
Officers
Researcher will:

Conduct 3 daily 30 minute observations
 Record notes
 Conduct a survey
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Measurement of Outcomes
Site Trainers
Researcher:

Observe
 Record Notes
 Conduct survey

Compare records
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Measurement of Outcomes
Range Officials
Researcher:

Observe
 Compare notes

Conduct Survey
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Analysis of Results
Survey
Researcher will:

Compile results

Document feedback

Record:

Areas of improvement

Areas of success

Areas where “the majority” have the same
answers
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Analysis of Results
Observations
Researcher will:

Determine trends

Identify Patterns

Interpret officers’ communication and behaviors
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Analysis of Results
Field Notes
Researcher will:

Compare notes to determine areas that:

Improved

Remained the same

Require further evaluation
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Analysis of Results
Reporting Findings
Report Includes:

Data collection methods

Survey details

Selected Solutions
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References
2014. Google Graphic
Lazarus, C. (2011). Simple Keys to Effective Communication. Psychology Today. Retrieved
from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/think-well/201107/simple-keys-effectivecommunication
National Institute of Justice. (2009). The Use-Of-Force-Continuum. Retrieved from
http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/officer-safety/use-offorce/Pages/continuum.aspx
Perrett, G. (2003). Teacher development through action research: a Case study in focused
action research. Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 27(2). p. 1-10
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References
Sandoval-Lucero, E., Maes, J. B., & Pappas, G. (2013). Action research in a non-profit
agency school setting: Analyzing the adoption of an innovation after initial training
and coaching. Journal of Education and Learning, 2(1), 262-277. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1438941088?accountid=458
Stringer, E., (2008). Gathering Data: Sources of Information. 2nd ed. Pearson Education.
University of Phoenix. (2014). The Perceived Differences in Interdepartmental
Communication Regarding Organizational Formalization: a Case Study of an
International Company. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, EDD/581 website
U.S. Training Group (2014). Milo System. Retrieved from
http://ustraininggroup.org/project/milo-system/
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