Different Types of Dissertations
Topic 1: Types of Dissertations
USC was at the forefront in distinguishing the EdD dissertation (i.e., the purpose of the degree) from that of the PhD. We see the EdD as being about the preparation of scholarly education leaders – “scholarly” here referring to having the ability to translate educational research into practical applications to improve outcomes. The PhD, on the other hand, focuses on the generation of new knowledge, which hopefully has relevance to practice, but that application isn’t the primary focus. As a result, the dissertations have different foci. The EdD dissertation focuses on a problem of practice – understanding elements of it so that practice can be improved. The Carnegie Project on the Educational Doctorate (CPED), of which USC is a founding member, continues this refinement of EdD programs and dissertations, nationally (http://cpedinitiative.org).
Beyond the differences between the PhD and EdD dissertation, within the EdD, itself, several approaches to the problem solving dissertation are emerging: (a) the traditional inquiry approach; (b) the evaluation approach; and (c) the problem-solving approach.
The traditional inquiry approach includes the case study and best practice types of dissertations. These types of studies may look at a particular site to understand some aspect about how that site works, or they may take the same problem and look across multiple sites.
The evaluation approach asks to what extent an “intervention” (a program, policy or practice) is working or how it might be improved. It can look at a single site, or across multiple sites using the same intervention.
The problem solving approach typically helps a site determine what it could do about a particular problem by exploring possible causes and solutions.
Why dissertation type matters to you:
The implications for you about the type of dissertation you use appear in the method you use to explore your research question and in the structure of the dissertation document, itself. While the three types vary from one another in method, the problem solving approach also varies from the other two in written format. This course was created to accommodate all three types, so you will see topics that may not apply to you and your type of dissertation. Your Chair will help you distinguish which topics to focus on (although all could be helpful).
Dissertation Models (.pptx)
Beyond the differences between the PhD and EdD dissertation, within the EdD, itself, several approaches to the problem solving dissertation are emerging: (a) the traditional inquiry approach; (b) the evaluation approach; and (c) the problem-solving approach.
The traditional inquiry approach includes the case study and best practice types of dissertations. These types of studies may look at a particular site to understand some aspect about how that site works, or they may take the same problem and look across multiple sites.
The evaluation approach asks to what extent an “intervention” (a program, policy or practice) is working or how it might be improved. It can look at a single site, or across multiple sites using the same intervention.
The problem solving approach typically helps a site determine what it could do about a particular problem by exploring possible causes and solutions.
Why dissertation type matters to you:
The implications for you about the type of dissertation you use appear in the method you use to explore your research question and in the structure of the dissertation document, itself. While the three types vary from one another in method, the problem solving approach also varies from the other two in written format. This course was created to accommodate all three types, so you will see topics that may not apply to you and your type of dissertation. Your Chair will help you distinguish which topics to focus on (although all could be helpful).
Dissertation Models (.pptx)
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