Completing a Professional Practice Dissertation

A growing number of both established and newly developed doctoral programs arefocusing on the preparation of practitioners rather than career researchers.Professional doctorates such as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor ofEducation (EdD), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Doctor of Professional Studies(DProf or DPS), and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) are, in fact, just a few of theprofessional doctorates being offered today. Professional doctorates are the fastestgrowing segment of doctoral education.The nature of the dissertation and the process of completing a dissertation can be quite different in a professionalpractice doctoral program but there are few resources for both students and faculty involved in completing andmentoring such dissertations. This book was written specifically for students and faculty involved in professionalpractice dissertation work. It addresses both the tasks and procedures that professional practice dissertations havein common with dissertations in 'research' doctoral programs as well as the tasks and issues that are morecommon in professional practice doctoral programs. For example, negotiating entry into applied settings andsecuring the cooperation of practicing professionals is covered, as are alternative models for the dissertation(e.g., the 'three article dissertation' or 'TAD'). The book also covers tasks such as getting IRB approval forapplied dissertation research conducted in the field and how to propose andcarry out studies based on applied and professional models of research. Thisbook, written by three experienced mentors of professional practicedissertation students, is the comprehensive guide for both students andfaculty.