Refractive Thinker: Vol II: Effective Research Method and Design for Doctoral Scholars: Ch7

Additional Book Details

Chapter 7: The Enlightened Pen: The Praxis Documentation and Aesthetic Interpretation (PDAI) Research Model by Dr. Bethany Mickahail and Dr. Kate Andrews

A fresh hybrid research method, the Praxis Documentation and Aesthetic Interpretation (PDAI) model, as created by Mickahail (2010), and used to record the lived stories of individual experiences through oral history and poetic data display is chronicled in this chapter. The PDAI model is a 4-continual step process: developing a praxis framework, collecting and documenting oral history data, creating a poetic representation, and determining resultant themes and findings. The model is continual because change does not cease but continues to transform, adjust, and refine into a cycle of striving for knowledge and excellence.

The PDAI methodology emerged from Mickahails (2010) study and fascination with the 20th century, civil rights efforts, subsequent societal transformation, and the endless energy of change makers. Developing a hybrid research that applied the method of oral history built around a change model and then blended with Eisners (1998) enlightened eye of educational criticism. Mickahail applied distinctive poetic representation of the data through her enlightened pen to document research findings.
The use of the PDAI 4-continual step process translated the qualitative interviewees insights and perspectives of life experiences related to issues of urgency, advocacy, effective treatment, public awareness, research, and policy planning into recommendations for change through poetic representation. The PDAI model holds significance for those who seek to conduct research in new and inventive ways.

The Refractive Thinker series provides doctoral scholars with a collaborative opportunity to promote and publish their work in a peer reviewed publication, which meets the university standard. Our goal is to provide an affordable outlet for scholars that supports the tremendous need for dynamic dialogue and innovation while providing an additional clout and recognition for each contributing author. Unlike most academic books that merely define research, The Refractive Thinker offers unique application of research methodologies from the perspective of multiple authors each offering a chapter based on their specific expertise.