Using Action Research as a Signature Pedagogy to Develop EdD Students’ Inquiry as Practice Abilities

Abstract

In this essay, I describe the role of action research (AR) in developing inquiry as practice among students in a CPED-guided EdD program. The essay is focused on issues such as (a) the need for developing inquiry as practice skills; (b) a rationale for using AR to develop inquiry skills; and (c) developing inquiry as practice through cycles of AR. I provide a rich, detailed description about how our faculty members have used it to develop students’ inquiry skills. The essay concludes with an examination of the challenges of using AR and a summary of its merits to prepare students’ inquiry as practice orientations and skills.