About the Book
The Importance of the Dissertation in Practice (DiP): A Resource Guide for EdD Students, Their Committee Members and Advisors, and Departmental and University Leaders Involved with EdD Programs is the first book-length study that looks at the elements of high-quality Dissertations in Practice (DiPs). It serves as a resource for EdD students, their committee members, their advisors, and departmental or university leaders involved with EdD programs. The book can be used to improve support from key stakeholders within EdD programs for the implementation of the DiP in the development of practitioner-scholars. The first section of the book discusses the difference between the DiP and traditional dissertations, the history of the DiP, and how the practitioner-scholar is developed through the DiP process. Next, the book describes the elements that are reflective of a high-quality DiP. Finally, it addresses a few of the unique formats that are sometimes used with the DiP, some of the practical issues with implementing the DiP, and issues of the future including the use of artificial intelligence.
The ultimate goal of The Importance of the Dissertation in Practice is to serve as a practical guide for all those involved with the DiP, reflecting the editors' and authors' experiences working with students within a variety of higher education institutions.
Perfect for courses such as: Introduction to Research Methods (doctoral level); Improvement Science; Applied Research Methods; Advanced Research Methods; Introduction to the Dissertation; Educational Evaluation; Theory of Change in Education; Educational Policy
About the Author :
Dr. Kimberlee K. C. Everson is an expert in research methods and statistics with a focus on ethical AI integration in education. As an associate professor at Western Kentucky University, Dr. Everson advocates for responsible AI use in academia, aiming to improve research while upholding integrity. Her expertise bridges traditional methodologies and AI innovations, offering valuable insights for those exploring AI's academic potential. Lynn Hemmer, educator, researcher, and practitioner of educational administration and leadership is a Professor in the department of Educational Leadership at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She has an B.S. in Geology from California Lutheran University, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University. Her professional background includes over fifteen years of experience in the K12 public school setting as a teacher, school administrator and district coordinator. Her work entails supporting aspiring and current administrators and leaders in the Pk-20 setting as they generate and disseminate new knowledge in the field of critical/social justice perspective in problem/solution formation and research refinement. Her research explores the intersections of alternative education, policy implementation, and educational equity for special populations. Kelly Torres, PhD is Department Chair of the Educational Psychology and Technology Program at The Chicago School. Her research interests are focused on international education, preservice teachers, innovative technologies, and online learning. Suha R. Tamim is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Curriculum Studies program at the Department of Leadership, Learning Design, and Inquiry at the University of South Carolina. She holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Memphis and a Master of Public Health from the American University of Beirut. In her present role, she advises students on the Dissertation in Practice and collaborates with faculty on the continuous improvement of the program. Her publications are focused on systems thinking and the design of learning environments. She is an active member of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology and the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, currently serving as co-editor in chief for Impacting Education: Journal of Transforming Professional Practice.
Review :
"As we consider the future and relevance of our education organizations, our leaders must be prepared to understand systems, identify problems of practice, work to remove barriers, and create solutions that are equitable and look to the future. The process and approach of the dissertation in practice sets this course. The chapters in this book are informative and essential for any practitioner-scholar doctoral program that truly wants to build organizational human capital and activate principled change."--Carole G. Basile, Dean, Arizona State University, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
"Dr. Everson and her colleagues offer a book that helps address a compelling problem of practice for education doctoral programs: how do we provide faculty and students with the foundational knowledge to understand the origins, purpose, and structure of an applied, contextualized research capstone for aspiring scholar practitioners? The authors of The Importance of the Dissertation in Practice offer a multitude of valuable perspectives that help Ed.D. program directors, faculty, and students effectively transition to more powerful and relevant capstone experiences."--Gary Houchens, PhD, Director, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program, Western Kentucky University
"My DiP was a reflective study that brought theory and practice together to better serve my students, college, and community. I used my voice to bring about change in my classroom and encouraged my students to use their agency as they grow and develop while maintaining an awareness of the world around them. The Importance of the Dissertation in Practice (DiP): A Resource Guide for EdD Students, Their Committee Members and Advisors, and Departmental and University Leaders Involved with EdD Programs encompasses the plans and process developed in EdD programs that made my experience possible. I encourage reading this book for all to see the planning and devotion by those involved in creating an enlightened experience for all EdD students."--Sherisse G. Jackson, EdD Graduate, University of South Carolina and DiP of the Year Award Winner
"The Dissertation in Practice (DiP) is a vital bridge between research and praxis in academia, demanding nuanced insights to effectively navigate it. This book, The Importance of the Dissertation in Practice (DiP): A Resource Guide for EdD Students, Their Committee Members and Advisors, and Departmental and University Leaders Involved with EdD Programs, provides an indispensable set of perspectives, strategies, and foundational knowledge that are essential for understanding DiP's methods, context, and structures. Offering expert insights and covering diverse themes, questions, and information, this book serves as an invaluable resource for EdD programs, faculty, scholarly-practitioners, and anyone keen on exploring, understanding, and supporting the dissertation in practice with thoughtful rigor and innovation."--Danah Henriksen, PhD (she/her), Associate Professor of Leadership & Innovation, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Affiliate Faculty; Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Arizona State University
