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

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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

 

The types of practice research that the book concentrates on is outside the scope of our creative industries cohort.

Dr Peter Oakley
Humanities, Royal College of Art
May 18, 2020

We hav a number of students who seek to mix policy and practice. Depending upon the topic (hence why not essential), this will be a useful core document to refer doctoral students to. The text is well referenced, clear titles and subheadings.

Dr Bex Lewis
MMU Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University
September 10, 2019

A readable and accessible book which summarises a range of methodologies linked to practice research.

Dr Will Shield
Graduate School of Education, Exeter University
October 4, 2019
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