Professional doctorate research methodologies: new possibilities from beyond the social sciences

Chynoweth, P

Abstract

The methodological approaches used by professional doctorate students often mirror those used by full-time academics within their fields of study. Costley & Armsby (2007) found that these are often dominated by a narrow range of social science approaches and argue that alternative techniques could usefully be developed for use specifically in a practitioner research context.

This paper argues that different styles of practitioner research have different objectives, and that not all are adequately served by research approaches drawn from the social sciences. Indeed, the dominance of social science approaches within the professional doctorate academic community may betray a restricted view of what can potentially constitute valid research, and a lack of awareness of other possibilities.

Using a synthesis of the two models articulated separately by Frayling (1993) and Archer (1995) in an art and design context the paper explores the distinction between three styles of practitioner research, namely that which is undertaken into practice, for practice, and through practice. It equates the former approach with research in the sciences, including the social sciences, but suggests that the two alternative approaches – research for and through practice - are likely to be more appropriate for insider practitioner researchers undertaking professional doctorates.

Both of these alternative approaches are seen to free the researcher of the retrospective, description-driven analysis of what Simon (1969) refers to as the explanatory sciences. Instead, in drawing on Simon’s alternative notion of the design sciences, they encourage the researcher to look to the future, and to design and develop solutions to real world problems that are capable of implementation in practice. The paper goes on to distinguish research for and through practice and to identify the nature of the respective methodological approaches that are appropriate for each.

Citation

Chynoweth, P. (2014, April). Professional doctorate research methodologies: new possibilities from beyond the social sciences. Presented at 4th International Conference on Professional Doctorates, Cardiff, UK

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 4th International Conference on Professional Doctorates
• Conference Location: Cardiff, UK
• Start Date: Apr 10, 2014
• End Date: Apr 11, 2014
• Deposit Date: Apr 17, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 17, 2014
• Publisher URL: http://www.ukcge.ac.uk/url/ICPD2014_23
• Related Public URLs: http://www.professionaldoctorate.co.uk
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