Navigating Messy Research Methods and Mentoring Practices at a Bilingual Research Site on the Mexico-U.S. Border

Beau Pihlaja Texas Tech University ; Lucía Durá The University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

Using a dissertation research project at a transnational site, this pedagogical process piece explores the experience from both the student and mentor perspectives. We discuss challenges gaining access to the research site and navigating frequently-acknowledged-but-rarely-described affective, relational dynamics that disrupt qualitative research in everyday technical and professional communication. To assist students’ and their mentors’ engagement with these dynamics, we suggest heuristics derived from critical reflection on our own tactical responses to these research and pedagogical challenges.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
2020-10-01
DOI
10.1080/10572252.2020.1790665
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Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Journal of Business and Technical Communication

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