What have I learned about action research?

What have I learned about action research?  Being that I haven't heard of the term before grad school, and my post collegiate experience consists of about 5 weeks, I've learned quite a lot.  Action research is the ongoing process of improvement, or improvement of oneself.  Taking the time to look at what you do, and use data, readings, research, reflection, or whatever to continue to improve doing whatever it is what you do.  As a hopeful administrator at a high school, action research lends itself to being quite helpful.  Far too many times, administrators fall into the trap of "my way or the highway" mentality.  While this type of mentality does have its place, it really should be a rare occurrence.  Action research is about meaningful change that occurs from deep investigation of oneself.  Taking the time, to ask the important questions about yourself such as:  is this the correct way?  is there a better way?  do I have all the needed information?  has someone else done this before, and what did they do?  Just asking questions isn't everything in action research.  It is then important to make a fundamental change, indeed on-going change.  Always asking questions, and always attempting to improve is fundamental to action research.  At the core of any good leader should be a leader who knows how to lead themselves as well, and action research helps accomplish this goal.