EDD 740 A - Defining the Problem of Practice

Defining the Problem of Practice (EDD 740)

Term: Academic Year 2025-2026 Graduate Summer Term

Schedule

Thu, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM (5/18/2026 - 7/5/2026) Location: MAIN CLEV CL206

Description

The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) defines a Problem of Practice as "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" (Storey & Maughan, 2014, p 10). Applying inquiry, research, and discussion, the student will understand and define the Problem of Practice, upon which the Dissertation in Practice will be built. Based on self-awareness, a desire to address the needs of others, the context of the problem, an analysis between the current and preferred condition, and his or her own leadership background, each student will frame the Problem of Practice using a four-stage process: 1. Is the problem authentic; 2. Is the problem relevant; 3. Is the problem researchable; and 4. How will the problem be articulated? Prerequisite: Admittance into the Ed.D program. (3 s.h.)