This book provides a simple but effective model for approaching action research. It also contains a series of tools to assist the researcher in working through the research process. The chapters are: (1) "Research in Professional and Public Life"; (2) "Principles of Community-Based Action Research"; (3) "Setting the Stage"; (4) "Look: Building the Picture"; (5) "Think: Interpreting and Analyzing"; (6) "Act: Resolving the Problems"; (7) "Act: Resolving Complex Problems"; (8) "Formal Reports, Theses, and Dissertations"; and (9) "Understanding Action Research: The Theory behind the Practice." An appendix discusses electronic resources for action research. (Contains 10 figures, 2 tables, 15 highlighted boxes, and 75 references.) (SLD)