In the preparation stage of action research, you are deciding on the focus of the action research project by narrowing down to carefully selected topic. After reflecting on your work, you’ll identify areas that you would like to improve your practice. Choose an area where you have control over the outcome and you can try a new approach after reading and talking with others about an approach to the problem that is likely to be effective. You may need resources and the cooperation of colleagues in order to continue with the approach you have selected. This is the stage where the background work and decision-making happens.