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Methodologies for Practice Research
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Methodologies for Practice Research
Approaches for Professional Doctorates

Edited by:


December 2018 | 280 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Sharp and focused, this book provides the need-to-know information on how to design and implement a good, high quality research project.

Oriented around real-world application, it emphasizes the aspects of research most relevant to conducting practice-based research. Assuming no prior knowledge, but appropriate for experienced learners, it builds knowledge at a sustainable pace.  

It offers readers:

- A no frills guide to methodology and the theory of conducting research

- Strategies for communicating complex ideas

- Insight into common impact-driven methods like action research, case study, and mixed methods  

- Ways to develop systematic research projects within the boundaries of everyday working life

- Ample opportunities to test and apply newfound knowledge.

With streamlined advice tailored specifically to support research in professional contexts, this book is the essential toolkit every researcher who is embarking on a practice-led project needs.

 

Carol Costley and John Fulton
Introduction
 
Part I: Underlying Principles
Tom Maxwell
Chapter 1: Philosophy and Practice – why does this matter?
Key definitions

 
Modes 1 and 2 knowledge production

 
An important philosophical thread

 
Implications

 
Conclusion

 
Carol Costley
Chapter 2: Research Approaches in Professional Doctorates; notes on an epistemology of practice
Introduction

 
Different forms of knowledge have led to epistemic changes

 
The modern application of practice-based research approaches

 
Towards an epistemology of practice

 
Pam Burnard, Tatjana Dragovic, Rebecca Heaton and Barry Rogers
Chapter 3: Why Policy Matters Particularly in Professional Doctorates
Introduction

 
The imperative of why policy matters to the researching professional

 
On setting parameters that lead to policy analysis and change

 
So, how should researching professionals go about policy analysis?

 
Methodologies for connecting professional doctorates and policy/ies

 
Driving professional and wider changes in society: doing the doctorate differently

 
Conclusion – So what for professional doctorate education?

 
Jan Fook
Chapter 4: Reflective Models and Frameworks in Practice
Introduction

 
Reflection and its relationship to research

 
The concept of reflection and related concepts

 
Reflection and reflexivity

 
An integrated understanding and practical model of critical reflection

 
Reflection and practice-based research

 
Different ways in which reflection can be used in research

 
Issues for further discussion

 
Criteria for making decisions about how to use reflection in research

 
John Fulton and Carol Costley
Chapter 5: Ethics
A Brief History of Ethics and Philosophical Principles

 
Translating the principles into the research design

 
Practice-based Research

 
Issues to consider in Practice-based Research

 
 
Part II: Methodological Frameworks
Kate Maguire
Chapter 6: Methodology as Personal and Professional Integrity: Research Designing for Practitioner Doctorates
Introduction

 
The context

 
Personal and Professional Integrity

 
Disentangling paradigms, methodologies, approaches and methods

 
Knowledge

 
The simplicity of an approach

 
Beginning research designing: conceptualising your practice in order to conceptualise and theorise practice

 
Forms of conceptualisation

 
Transparency

 
Research designing: influences to consider

 
Your design

 
Help with clarifying an attitude to the workworld to achieve what matters

 
Embracing Complexity

 
Valerie A. Storey
Chapter 7: Alternative Dissertation Models: The Development of Modern Capstone Design
Setting the Stage

 
What Characterises a PD Dissertation?

 
Extending the Dissertation Spectrum

 
The Challenge: Alternative Dissertation Formats

 
The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED)

 
Alternative Models: Active Ingredients

 
Conclusion and Recommendations

 
Kath Woodward
Chapter 8: Auto-Ethnography
Range and Scope of Auto-ethnography

 
Auto-ethnography

 
Theories, Methodologies and Methods

 
Gill Coleman
Chapter 9: Action Research
Introduction

 
Insider Researchers

 
Characteristics

 
An “extended” epistemology

 
First, Second and Third-person Action Research

 
Putting it into practice

 
Quality/Validity

 
Conclusion: challenges and strengths

 
Catherine Hayes
Chapter 10: Case Study
Introduction

 
What is the philosophical stance?

 
What is the extent and range of the case study?

 
Using Case Study Research in the Context of a Professional Doctorate

 
Theory Building with Case Study Research Data

 
David Plowright
Chapter 11: Mixed Methods
Introduction

 
The Challenge

 
Mixed Methods Research

 
The FraIM: A Brief Description

 
Warrantability of Research

 
Integrated Matrix

 
Finally

 
John Fulton
Chapter 12: Translational Research in Practice Development
Types of knowledge

 
How do you know that research can be applied to practice?

 
Roles in Translational Research

 
The Process of Translational Research

 
Conclusion

 
Heléne Clark
Chapter 13: Theory of Change: The Real Thing and How to Design Successful Social Change Projects
Basic Components of a Theory of Change

 
Basic Definition of Theory of Change

 
Theory: Each Component Defined

 
Three Basic Purposes and Times for Theory of Change

 
Using A Theory of Change in Practice

 
Snapshot of the Process of Creating a Theory of Change

 
Tips on Success in Creating a Theory of Change

 
Conclusion

 

Costley and Fulton provide a must read for anyone involved with professional doctorates. This book supports researchers to understand and promote the importance of practice research, conduct it and create real research and policy impact. The book we’ve been looking for!

Tracey Wond
Head of Research (Business, Law and Social Sciences) and PhD and Professional Doctorate (Business) Programme Leader, University of Derby

This is an inspiring, welcome, and long overdue text that details the multiple dimensions and unique merits of professional doctorates (PDs) and how they can be distinguished from traditional PhDs. The chapters provide a detailed guide for PD students and faculty advisors. It is also useful as a framework for designing PD programs. 

Shauna Butterwick
Professor Emeritus, Department of Educational Studies at University of British Columbia

With carefully crafted content exploring what it means to be a researching professional, Methodologies for Practice Research is a must-read text for anyone involved in designing, developing, delivering, and assessing professional practice doctoral programs. Finally, a book that will help free the professional practice doctoral dissertation from the PhD straitjacket.

Nancy Fichtman Dana
Professor, School of Teaching and Learning, University of Florida

Methodologies for Practice Research is a game-changer for researchers across the professions. By naming essential methodologies, addressing the rigor, and illuminating the messiness but critical importance of this scholarship, this must-read book will change how current and future scholarly practitioners think about and conduct practice-based research.

Rebecca West Burns
Associate Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education, University of South Florida

Perfect for students new to research and for their teachers undertaking their own academic research. Useful and essential

Dr Chelle Oldham
Education, Coventry University Scarborough Campus
September 24, 2019

A well written text that provides focused information on how to structure and implement a research project. Each chapter provides accessible information to support the development of the research project.

Mrs Sue Baylis
Centre For Early Childhood, Worcester University
April 10, 2019

Offers clear and concise advice of all areas of research

Dr Paul Demetriou-Crane
Education, Havering College of Further and Higher Education
March 9, 2019

I used this book to offer students the opportunity to explore different methodologies for doing research in their practice. It really helped them to understand the concepts and steps in the research process.

Dr Evgenia Theodotou
CASS School of Education & Communities, University of East London
March 27, 2019

Great overview of methodologies, easy to read and understand.

Dr Annette Hand
Nursing Department, Midwifery & Allied H, Northumbria University
October 3, 2019

It has not been delivered to me.

Professor Ayse Fulya Sen
Journalism, Firat Universitesi
September 21, 2019

Carol Costley

John Fulton

Dr. John Fulton is reader in Practice-Based Research within the Faculty of Health Sciences and wellbeing. He has a career of more than 25 years in the education of health professionals. He has an interest in work-based learning and methodological approaches which shape and direct the development of practice. He is co-author of a textbook on the professional doctorate and leads the research methods module of the professional doctorate program. He is also the program leader for the MSc in Public Health and as such is/has been involved in a number of research projects in public health, with particular focus on the wider determinates of... More About Author

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