Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2021

“Subjects” in and of Research: Decolonizing Oppressive Rhetorical Practices in Technical Communication Research

Godwin Y. Agboka University of Houston - Downtown

Abstract

Despite the recent surge in social justice and decolonial scholarship, technical and professional communication (TPC) research remains a potential site of oppression. This article is meant to be a call to action; it attempts to (re)ignite discussions about what we value and how we express what we value. It encourages the field of TPC to be more responsive to the experiences and struggles of research participants—those we engage during our knowledge production process. I explore what I call oppressive rhetoric in TPC research with a specific focus on the term subjects in institutional review board forms and in the reporting of some TPC research about research participants. I assert that in spite of our best efforts in advancing the goals of marginalized groups and despite the forward-looking trajectory of progressive research, more work needs to be done to address oppressive rhetoric in TPC scholarship.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2021-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281620901484
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication professional writing race and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (6)

  1. Tijerina (2025)
    A Case for Open Educational Resources in Technical and Professional Communicati…
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  3. Vail (2022)
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  4. Phelps (2022)
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  5. Dorpenyo (2022)
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Show all 6 →
  1. Thominet (2021)
    Open Video Game Development and Participatory Design
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Cites in this index (13)

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    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Barton et al. (2018)
    Do Community Members Have an Effective Voice in the Ethical Deliberation of a B…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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Also cites 8 works outside this index ↓
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CrossRef global citation count: 15 View in citation network →

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