Technical Communication Quarterly Jan 1998

Taking a political turn: The critical perspective and research in professional communication

Nancy Blyler

Abstract

This article examines the critical perspective as an alternative to our current descriptive, explanatory research focus. The critical perspective aims at empowerment and emancipation. It reinterprets the relationship between researcher and participants as one of collaboration, where participants define research questions that matter to them and where social action is the desired goal. Examples of critical research include feminist, radical educational, and participatory action research. Adopting the critical perspective would require that scholars in professional communication rethink their choices of research questions and sites, their views of the ownership of research results, and the types of funding they seek for research initiatives.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
1998-01-01
DOI
10.1080/10572259809364616
Open Access
Closed
Topics
professional writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (16)

  1. Halley et al. (2026)
    Lessons in Security Logics from Cold-War Guatemala
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Li (2022)
    Defining the racial and ethnic “other”: Constructing an American identity throu…
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  3. Agboka et al. (2022)
    Curricular Efforts in Technical Communication After the Social Justice Turn
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Agboka (2021)
    “Subjects” in and of Research: Decolonizing Oppressive Rhetorical Practices in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Petersen et al. (2020)
    “Speaking so that We are Heard:” A Zulu Comic Book as Women’s Social Action in …
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Show all 16 →
  1. Dayley (2020)
    Student Perceptions of Diversity in Technical and Professional Communication Ac…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Edenfield (2019)
    Research in Cooperatives: Developing a Politically Conscious Research Methodology
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Petersen et al. (2018)
    Bridging Analysis and Action
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Colton et al. (2018)
    A Social Justice Theory of Active Equality for Technical Communication
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Agboka (2013)
    Participatory Localization: A Social Justice Approach to Navigating Unenfranchi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  6. Zdenek (2007)
    “Just Roll Your Mouse Over Me”: Designing Virtual Women for Customer Service on…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  7. Scott et al. (2006)
    Guest Editors' Introduction: Making the Cultural Turn
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  8. Scott (2004)
    Tracking Rapid HIV Testing Through the Cultural Circuit
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  9. Thatcher (2001)
    Issues of Validity in Intercultural Professional Communication Research
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  10. Grabill (2000)
    Shaping local HIV/AIDS services policy through activist research: The problem o…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  11. Bushneil (1999)
    A contrary view of the technical writing classroom: Notes toward future discussion
    Technical Communication Quarterly

Cites in this index (3)

  1. BLYLER (1996)
    Narrative and Research in Professional Communication
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Blyler (1995)
    Research as ideology in professional communication
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. SAUER (1993)
    Sense and Sensibility in Technical Documentation
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 14 works outside this index ↓
  1. Clifford James (1986)
    Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography
     ↗
  2. Fals‐Borda Orlando (1991)
    Action and Knowledge: Breaking the Monopoly with Participatory Action‐Research
     ↗
  3. Fals‐Borda Orlando (1991)
    Action and Knowledge: Breaking the Monopoly with Participatory Action‐Research
     ↗
  4. Gaventa John (1991)
    Action and Knowledge: Breaking the Monopoly with Participatory Action‐Research
     ↗
  5. 10.2307/358988
     ↗
  6. 10.2307/378107
     ↗
  7. 10.1086/494562
     ↗
  8. 10.4324/9780203420263
     ↗
  9. 10.1080/03637759309376290
     ↗
  10. Richardson Laurel (1988)
    10.1080/00380237.1988.10570978
    Sociological Focus  ↗
  11. 10.1016/0277-5395(88)90004-0
     ↗
  12. 10.1177/002194369303000406
     ↗
  13. Whyte William Foote (1991)
    Participatory Action Research
     ↗
  14. Whyte William Foote (1991)
    Participatory Action Research
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 33 View in citation network →

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