Methodologies for Practice Research

Approaches for Professional Doctorates
Carol Costley
John Fulton
Methodologies for Practice Research
December 2018 | 280 pages | Sage UK
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Description

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.

 

Contents

Introduction

Introduction

Part I: Underlying Principles

  • Chapter 1: Philosophy and Practice – why does this matter?
  • Key definitions
  • Modes 1 and 2 knowledge production
  • An important philosophical thread
  • Implications
  • Conclusion
  • 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
  • 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?
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Chapter 8: Auto-Ethnography
  • Range and Scope of Auto-ethnography
  • Auto-ethnography
  • Theories, Methodologies and Methods
  • 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
  • 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
  • Chapter 11: Mixed Methods
  • Introduction
  • The Challenge
  • Mixed Methods Research
  • The FraIM: A Brief Description
  • Warrantability of Research
  • Integrated Matrix
  • Finally
  • 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
  • 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

Description

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.

 

Contents

Introduction

Introduction

Part I: Underlying Principles

  • Chapter 1: Philosophy and Practice – why does this matter?
  • Key definitions
  • Modes 1 and 2 knowledge production
  • An important philosophical thread
  • Implications
  • Conclusion
  • 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
  • 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?
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Chapter 8: Auto-Ethnography
  • Range and Scope of Auto-ethnography
  • Auto-ethnography
  • Theories, Methodologies and Methods
  • 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
  • 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
  • Chapter 11: Mixed Methods
  • Introduction
  • The Challenge
  • Mixed Methods Research
  • The FraIM: A Brief Description
  • Warrantability of Research
  • Integrated Matrix
  • Finally
  • 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
  • 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
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Methodologies for Practice Research

Approaches for Professional Doctorates

Carol Costley , John Fulton
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December 2018 | 280 pages | Sage UK

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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.

 


Table Of Contents:

  • Introduction
  • Part I: Underlying Principles
  • Chapter 1: Philosophy and Practice – why does this matter?
  • Key definitions
  • Modes 1 and 2 knowledge production
  • An important philosophical thread
  • Implications
  • Conclusion
  • 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
  • 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?
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Chapter 8: Auto-Ethnography
  • Range and Scope of Auto-ethnography
  • Auto-ethnography
  • Theories, Methodologies and Methods
  • 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
  • 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
  • Chapter 11: Mixed Methods
  • Introduction
  • The Challenge
  • Mixed Methods Research
  • The FraIM: A Brief Description
  • Warrantability of Research
  • Integrated Matrix
  • Finally
  • 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
  • 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

Recent Product Reviews:

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
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
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
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

Recommendations