Classroom Action Research is the process of identifying a challenge in one's classroom, planning a potential solution to the challenge, executing the plan, and evaluating the solution. The process can range from informal to formal, yet the goal remains the same: to strategically improve one's teaching techniques and to share lessons learned with other teachers.

Teachers in Thailand have a special incentive to pursue Classroom Action Research (CAR). The Thai Ministry of Education offers promotions and raises to teachers who complete CAR that passes an independent examination by university faculty appointed by the Ministry of Education. Classroom Action Research projects that pass are published by the Ministry of Education. Since the goal of CAR is to improve teaching techniques and share local wisdom, CAR fits nicely within the Teacher Collaboration and Community Outreach project (TCCO). Moreover, CAR might be a project more likely to be followed through with given the government incentive.

Classroom Action Research can be done more or less formally. Less formal research may be done more quickly and can be more instantly gratifying for volunteer and counterpart alike. However, research intended for submission to the Ministry of Education must be very formal. The process involves finding an official advisor, which usually must be a Thai university professor.

Both formal and informal research follow some common, fundamental steps.

General Steps for Research:

1. Identify a research question - It could be a skill that is difficult for the students to learn.
   
2. Learn from existing research - You should look to see what other people have already done and learn from their conclusions.
3. Develop/choose a technique based on existing research and your hypothesis -
4. Plan a way of implementing the technique -
5. Use the technique -
6. Evaluate the technique -
7. Conclude and share lessons learned -

Volunteers who have assisted counterparts with Classroom Action Research:

• Scott Hajek, Thailand group 119 (contact him through Scott's profile)