Knowledge in professional conduct: a conceptual framework
ProjectThe aim of this project is to create an integrated conceptual framework on the interaction between knowledge and professional conduct. This knowledge can come from practice, theory or empirical research. This conceptual framework can be used to (better) educate professionals through higher education, as well as for future empirical and conceptual research.
Traditionally, the focus in university study programmes lies on knowledge derived from empirical and conceptual research, whereas in professional study programmes, the focus is mainly on knowledge from professional practice. More recently, higher education has been positioned as essential for educating professionals in a wide range of sectors, both within higher professional education and university education. This shift raises the question which role practical knowledge and knowledge derived from research play in education given to professionals. For example, researchers often aim to produce knowledge which is widely applicable, whereas professionals usually aim to influence a specific situation. However, while professional knowledge is often more relevant to apply, it cannot always be considered as generally valid. These are limitations that professionals need to be able to deal with when applying knowledge in professional practice.
In order to gain a better understanding of the role that knowledge plays in the professional practice of the modern professional, this research will bring together conceptual and empirical literature about this issue from different disciplines (varying from sociology of knowledge to cognitive psychology) into a single holistic model that is functional for further research, but also for educating professionals.
