Aims : Applying new cooperative methods in instruction has multiple effects on learning. Therefore, this study was implemented with the aim of investigating the effect of research circles method on improving students' communicational skills, attitude toward research and performance in action research.

  Methods: This quasi-experiment study with control group and pretest-posttest design was performed in 2010-11 academic year. The study population included all students in Shahid Maghsudi Teacher Training Center which where two 44-student classes were selected with purposive sampling method. The experimental action (Research Circles Method) was randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The attitude toward research questionnaire, the communicational skills questionnaire, the action research plans’ evaluation checklist and the action research test were used as data collection tools. Research circles method was implemented in 12 sessions. Results were analyzed by ANCOVA and independent T-test using SPSS 18 software.

  Results: Research circles had significant positive effect on communicational skills (F=7.89, p=0.001), attitude toward research (F=7.23, p=0.01) and the action research applying score (t=3.18, p=0.003), but had reverse effect on theoric action research score (t=2.33, p=0.024).

  Conclusion: Research circles method is a new method with multiple effects on students’ development. Therefore, higher education systems are suggested to apply such methods for gaining quality.