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Review your colleagues’ posts.
Respond to at least two of them by offering a comment, a resource, or a question.
Patricia D. Wells
Week 1: Compare project study to dissertation by using the checklists to identify and describe two of the differences between the project study and dissertation. The research application process is the main distinction between a project study and a dissertation. According to Dr. Research the project study is for individuals who wish to apply their research as a practitioner in a local setting, while dissertations are for individuals who want career outside of P-12. A project study consist four sections/chapter-- the problem, methodology, project description, and reflections (Walden University, LLC, 2016c). While the EdD dissertation has five chapters, addresses a broad educational issue or theory, and requires that you address a meaningful gap in practice supported by current research literature about a practice in your chosen specialization of the educational discipline (Walden University, LLC, 2016b). A project study examines problem on the local context, whereas the dissertation can be both local and national. The project study contains two literature reviews in section 1 and 3, while the dissertation requires only 1 literature review in its own section with recent research within five years. Project studies lay emphasis on the practical application of its researcher, whereas a dissertation is more concerned with knowledge development for educational sectors.
The project study and dissertation result in different types of studies through the application process. A dissertation will look more formal than a project study because it starts with a research question and aims. The main component of the dissertation is the research problem the impetus conducting a study is the research problem. There is inconclusiveness about a subject in the literature or a gap in our knowledge of a phenomenon. This inconclusiveness or gap informs the study’s methodology and informs the question that will be used to gather data to deepen our knowledge of the subject. While the main difference between the two is that the latter starts with a research issue, while the former does not. A project study is not meant to advance our knowledge of a field of study. Project studies, also known as applied studies, have the goal of assisting in the solution of a local real-world issue.
Why a researcher might select each one would be based off if I am addressing a problem in my locale or if I am addressing a problem globally. The decision between a project study and a dissertation is largely influenced by the researcher’s perspective and conditions. Based on the regular exposure to the problem and the students engaged, as a doctoral candidate working in P-12 setting I would most likely be motivated to finding a solution to a local issue would do a project study. While as a doctoral student, I want to look at a local or nation-wide crisis, I would do a dissertation. Some scholars might say that the researcher would gain more personally from solving an issue in their local educational environment than nation-wide. However, because they lack background and exposure, students who do not attend a P-12 institution may want to adopt a global perspective on education rather than looking at a local issue. Consequently, a general pedagogical problem or theory might be more relevant to their issue. My emphasis would be on a nation-wide issue, since I want to address a problem that not only can apply to where I work, but other facilities as well. Therefore, I am leaning more towards a qualitative dissertation.
References
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2016b). Dr. Research: The EdD Dissertation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2016c). Dr. Research: The EdD Project Study [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author
Jada Lea Reeves
One distinct difference between a project study and a dissertation is that the project study includes an assignment based on the research findings. The work is a project that a doctoral candidate can choose from four options to complete: a curriculum plan, professional development, a position paper with policy changes, or an evaluation report (Walden, 2016i).
Another variance is the number of chapters required. The project study requires chapters on the problem, methodology, project, and conclusions (Walden, 2016). The dissertation includes five chapters: an introduction, a literature review, methods, results, and a final section on conclusions and recommendations (Walden, 2016).
Types of Studies
Because each option encompasses various aspects, the results lend themselves to the two different types of studies. The project study has an actual project to complete that addresses a local problem supported through problem study and fulfilling a gap in practice (Walden, 2016i). In contrast, the dissertation focuses on a broader issue in education as a whole entity and requires fifty to seventy-five peer-reviewed articles in the literature review (Walden, 2016).
Selection
Due to the nature of research and using a local problem in the district, I work in; I will be focusing on a project study in which I develop a professional development plan for implementing formative assessment practices in grades three through five. This project allows me to implement my research in a local context for social change (Walden, 2016c).
For someone who chooses to complete a dissertation, the outcomes slightly differ. Dissertations are for professionals who wish to pursue careers outside the public school system, such as a professor at a university level, consultants, or leaders in other professional associations (Walden, 2016b). Formal inquiry requires the researcher to address unrequited questions and make an innovative impact on the field of education (Walden, 2016b).
References
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2016b). Dr. Research: The EdD Dissertation [Video file]. Author.
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2016c). Dr. Research: The EdD Project Study [Video file]. Author.
Walden University, LLC. (2016). Dr. Research: Think like a researcher: Project study or dissertation?[Handout]. Author.
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2016i). EdD project study and dissertation compared. Author.
