Description
Book SynopsisProfessional Development Schools: Researching Lessons from the Field provides a comprehensive analysis of PDS research that can aid PDS stakeholders in designing and sustaining meaningful research in their partnerships. Breault and Breault used an extensive qualitative meta-synthesis to examine the research over the past 20 years. Their comprehensive review of 300 studies provides a.deep understanding of the challenges and potential within PDSs. The authors offer analysis regarding key elements of PDSs and highlight strong studies including a large-scale, multi-site study and studies using mixed methods and action research effectively. They also highlight exemplary studies showing how pilot studies are effective ways to research new partnerships, how theory can lead to greater abstraction, and how metaphor can clarify complex relationships. This book is an essential resource for all stakeholders involved in professional development schools.
Trade ReviewThe authors provide researchers in the PDS field a sobering look at what was, is, and can be in the PDS research. The challenges for PDS researchers is to consider their critical perspective as an opportunity to strengthen the PDS field by applying research methodology. -- Jeanne Tunks, University of North Texas
After following the work of these authors for years, I am quite pleased it is now published as this book. I applaud their cautious optimism and healthy critique of the rigor in PDS research. Certainly, it has informed my own scholarly efforts in the realm of school-university partnerships. I find this book compelling, honest, and purposeful in its innovative, qualitative approach of a meta-analysis of PDS literature. I hope all readers and critics note the important messages with/in this text in order to provide meaningful opportunities for the clinical preparation of educators across their professional life spans as well as a need for evidence to support the influence of such partnerships in teacher and student development. -- Jennifer L. Snow, Boise State University
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: A PDS by Any Other Name Chapter 2: Problems and Potential in PDS Research Chapter 3: Is It Research or Not? Chapter 4: Research That is Good for Something: Warrantability and Added Value Chapter Five: The Nature and Use of Qualitative Data in PDS Research Chapter 6: Representation in PDS Literature Chapter 7: Organizational Implications for PDS Research Chapter 8: Doing Meaningful Research in a PDS Setting
