About the Book
The Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice provides a narrative and illustration about the purpose and features comprising the Dissertation in Practice and how this culminating experience is well suited to using Improvement Science as a signature methodology for preparing professional practitioners. This methodology, when combined with the Dissertation in Practice experience in EdD programs, reinforces practitioner learning about and skills for leadership and change. As a guide, the book is an extremely valuable resource that supports faculty, students, and practitioners in the application of Improvement Science to pressing educational problems in a structured, disciplined way.
Table of Contents:
- Dedication
- List of Figures and Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Chapter 1.
- Designing a Professional Practice Doctorate
- Chapter 2.
- New Mindsets and a New Dissertation Frame
- Chapter 3.
- Actionable Problems of Practice
- Chapter 4.
- Reviewing the Literature: A Critical Skill
- Chapter 5.
- Drive Diagrams and a Theory of Improvement
- Chapter 6.
- Developing Improvement Measures
- Chapter 7.
- Testing the Theory/Change and Final Write Up
- Chapter 8.
- Implications: Challenges and Lessons Learned
- About the Authors
- Index
About the Author :
Dr. Jill Perry is the Executive Director of the Carnegie Project on the Educational Doctorate (CPED) and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Administrative and Policy Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. She has edited two books and is currently researching the ways EdD programs teach practitioners to utilize research evidence.
Debby Zambo is an Associate Professor Emerita from Arizona State University currently working as the Associate Director of the Carnegie Foundation on the Education Doctorate (CPED). Along with Jill Perry and Robert Crow, she developed and presented five workshops on a range of topics from the basic tools and processes of improvement science and, most recently, contextualizing improvement science in dissertation work.
Robert Crow, Ph. D., is an associate professor of educational research at Western Carolina University. His expertise in assessment and evaluation has led to collaborations with other 4-year institutions, community colleges, PK-12 schools, and institutional accreditation agencies such as SACS-COC. Dr. Crow's research interests include assessment and evaluation of student learning and of learning environments.
Review :
"...the Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice: A Guide for Faculty, Committee Members, and their Students provides a unique addition to the information available for those engaged in ISDiPs. The format is easily accessible; the breadth of the process steps, examples, and tools support both faculty, committee members, and students to deliver improved research products. Consequently, this work has the potential to improve outcomes in practice." [Read the full review in Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 6(4).]--Jacqueline Hawkins and Monica L. Martens, University of Houston, reviewed in Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 6(4), 10-19-21
...the Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice: A Guide for Faculty, Committee Members, and their Students provides a unique addition to the information available for those engaged in ISDiPs. The format is easily accessible; the breadth of the process steps, examples, and tools support both faculty, committee members, and students to deliver improved research products. Consequently, this work has the potential to improve outcomes in practice." -- Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice
"Though other books and publications exist that present and discuss improvement science (many of which are cited throughout the series), the Improvement Science in Education series exhibits the most comprehensive coverage of improvement science currently available. Crow, Hinnant-Crawford, and Spaulding have curated a collection of books that showcases the breadth and depth of improvement science appealing to a variety of audiences, regardless of backgrounds, expertise, and readiness levels. . . Certainly, improvement science is a challenging undertaking, but this series empowers those ready and willing to try."--Review by Christopher Benedetti for Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, Vol. 8 No. 3 (2023)
"...this book is an essential, easy to read text, for those teaching in EdD programs, leading EdD programs, and for students in these programs and considering them as part of their future. It is relevant for this moment in time in America, and globally, to ensure our PK-12 schools serve all of our kids, and our EdD programs set up the leaders who work in PK-12, higher education, non-profits, community organizations, and all of the spaces where we must collaborate to build the education present and future we needed centuries ago and need today." (See full review in Impacting Education, Vol. 7, No. 3, [2022])
"Once I picked this book up, I couldn't put it down. The Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice is a critical read for any university or dissertation committee member wanting to separate from meaningless traditional dissertation practices and instead prepare their EdD candidates to lead and improve complex educational organizations. The book skillfully explicates how the EdD, with an improvement science focus, is rigorous, scientific--and most importantly--supports school leaders in the real-life work of improving their schools and districts. The concepts are riveting, compelling--and practical."--Dr. Deborah S. Peterson, Associate Professor, Portland State University
