How to Identify a Problem of Practice: A Guide for EdD Students
The Problem of Practice (PoP) is the heart of any Dissertation in Practice (DiP). Identifying a PoP that is both pressing and relevant in the field of education is a critical first step in your research journey. In the expansive field of education, EdD students often struggle to pinpoint a PoP that is not only relevant but feasible to address through their research.
In this blog post, I’ll provide practical tips for doctoral candidates on how to pinpoint a PoP that not only aligns with their interests and expertise but also promises to make a significant impact in educational practice.
What is a Problem of Practice?
According to the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, a problem of practice is a persistent, contextualized, and specific issue embedded in the work of a professional practitioner, the addressing of which has the potential to result in improved understanding, experience, and outcomes.
Addressing the PoP requires not only a deep understanding of theoretical frameworks but also an acute awareness of the practical constraints and ethical considerations inherent in educational research. The challenge lies in identifying a problem that not only fills a gap in the current literature but also aligns with ethical research standards and is feasible within the constraints of resources, time, and data availability.
Reflect on Your Professional Experience
- Draw from Experience: Consider challenges and issues you’ve encountered in your own professional practice. These firsthand experiences can provide valuable insights into potential problems that require research and solutions.
- Talk to Colleagues: Engage in discussions with fellow educators to identify common challenges in the field. These conversations can be a rich source of ideas and inspiration.
For example: A teacher might have noticed a significant disparity in reading levels among students in the same grade, prompting an investigation into effective literacy intervention strategies. Discussions with fellow teachers might reveal a common challenge in integrating technology effectively into the curriculum, leading to a research focus on digital literacy.
Stay Informed About Current Trends in Education
- Review Literature: Conduct a thorough literature review in your area of interest. Identify gaps in current research or areas where there is a pressing need for practical solutions.
- Follow Educational News: Stay updated with the latest developments and trends in education through news, journals, and educational forums.
To continue with the above example, a literature review may reveal gaps in research regarding literacy interventions that effectively bridge reading level disparities, especially in diverse classroom settings. Keeping abreast of educational news, the teacher might find emerging trends in digital literacy and technology integration in classrooms, further refining the research focus.
Align with Broader Educational Goals and Policies
- National and Local Policies: Examine how your potential PoP aligns with current educational policies and initiatives at both national and local levels.
- Global Challenges: Consider how your PoP fits into the global context of education. Addressing universal educational challenges can increase the relevance and impact of your research.
Example continued: The teacher could align the research with national educational goals, such as ensuring literacy proficiency for all students, and explore how digital literacy aligns with local educational technology initiatives. The teacher can frame the research within a global context, looking at how improving literacy and digital literacy skills prepares students for a technologically advanced and interconnected world.
Consider the Practicality and Feasibility
- Resource Availability: Ensure that you have access to the necessary resources, including data, participants, and materials, to investigate the PoP.
- Time Frame: Choose a problem that can be realistically explored and addressed within the timeframe of your doctoral program.
Example continued: The feasibility of the research could be assessed based on the availability of resources, such as access to diverse student groups for studying literacy interventions, and technology tools for digital literacy. The teacher needs to consider a research design that allows for the study of literacy interventions and technology integration within the academic year or the timeframe of the doctoral program.
Seek Input from Advisors and Mentors
- Expert Advice: Discuss your ideas with your advisors and mentors. Their expertise can help you refine your PoP and ensure it is academically sound and practically relevant.
- Feedback from Practitioners: Get input from educators and practitioners who would be directly impacted by your research. Their perspectives can be invaluable in shaping your PoP.
Example continued: Advisors and mentors could provide insights into refining the research questions, ensuring that the study on literacy disparities and digital literacy integration is academically robust and methodologically sound. Input from other educators and practitioners could help in shaping the research approach, especially in identifying practical strategies for literacy intervention and technology integration that could be tested and evaluated.
Focus on Impact and Improvement
- Potential for Change: Select a PoP that has the potential to bring about positive change or improvement in educational settings.
- Measurable Outcomes: Consider how the outcomes of your research could be measured or evaluated in terms of real-world impact.
Example continued: The research could focus on the potential for literacy interventions to significantly improve reading levels and on how digital literacy integration can enhance learning outcomes. The teacher might consider how the outcomes of the research – improvements in reading levels and digital literacy skills – can be measured, perhaps through standardized reading tests and assessments of digital literacy competencies.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen through the example of addressing disparities in reading levels and integrating digital literacy into the curriculum, the process of pinpointing a PoP is multifaceted. It involves reflecting on personal experiences, staying informed about current trends, aligning with broader educational goals, considering practical feasibility, seeking expert input, and focusing on potential impacts.
This comprehensive approach ensures that your research is not only academically rigorous but also deeply relevant to the real-world challenges facing today’s educators and students. By meticulously selecting a PoP that resonates with your interests, aligns with current educational needs, and promises measurable outcomes, you set the stage for a dissertation that can truly make a difference in the field of education.
Remember, the process of identifying your PoP is as much about understanding the broader educational landscape as it is about introspection and consultation. The insights you gather, the connections you make, and the challenges you choose to tackle will not only shape your doctoral journey but also contribute to your professional growth and the advancement of educational practice. Your research has the potential to inspire change and improve educational experiences and outcomes for learners, making this initial step of identifying your PoP a crucial and rewarding endeavor.
