This exciting new text is designed to meet the needs of professional doctorate students from diverse subject disciplines. It contains analysis of the actual or potential issues that could be encountered when developing research in a professional practice setting, emphasising the process of doctoral study in addition to outcomes. Professional practitioners wishing to integrate their expertise with the acquisition of advanced research knowledge and skill to directly inform and influence practice will benefit from this text. The text draws extensively on the author's experience of developing and leading a professional doctorate programme, in addition to supervising professional doctorate and PhD students.It aims to analyse and explore the key themes of professional doctorate study; the practitioner researcher role and possible tensions; expectations of professional doctorate study; personal development planning; supervision issues and the practitioner researcher; integrating professional and research knowledge for the enhancement of practice; leading research in practice; ethical issues related to research in professional practice; dissemination of research in the professional milieu; and, life post professional doctorate. Practical activities and exercises are used in the text to facilitate student planning of the professional doctorate journey. Real life student experiences and case studies illustrate the rewards and challenges of professional doctorate study. In essence the text demystifies professional doctorates, using practical exercises and accessible language, as opposed to academic discourse isolated from the realities of professional practice.