Developing Scholarly Dispositions While Becoming a Participatory Action Researcher

Participatory action research can be difficult to enact, especially as a novice researcher. The tensions between remaining true to the heart of PAR while also reconceptualizing her own identity as a student, novice, teacher, scholar proved challenging. This feat was accomplished with a thorough understanding of participatory action research; the scholarly dispositions needed to engage in this work; and the guidance, support, and careful questioning of a dissertation chair and committee. This chapter includes an overview of the methodology, participatory action research with photovoice; the possibility of unique scholarly dispositions needed by doctoral candidates interested in action-oriented methodologies; the author's own dissertation experiences; and concludes with lessons learned throughout the dissertation. Although a framework for the scholarly dispositions specifically for action-oriented methodologies is yet to be determined, the dissertation journey shared in this chapter could be a launching point for such work to occur.

Empowering Doctoral Students for the Dissertation

In this chapter, the authors discuss the relationship between the dissertation chair and the doctoral student using the empowerment framework. They provide a description of the empowerment framework and discuss ways that dissertation chairs and students can utilize the framework to enhance the quality of their relationship and increase the likelihood of student completion. The goal of this chapter is to provide a framework to guide this often complex relationship and offer insight from the perspective of a chair and student.

Research as Improvisation: Dancing among Perspectives

This article captures the way research methods were intertwined with core identities to understand the success development of Caribbean-Canadian women. It highlights the importance of researchers experimenting with a blend of perspectives to fit their problem as well as their identity. Viewing the research process through the eyes of the researcher and her dissertation chair, issues of validity and collaboration emerge. Ultimately both authors listen to family voices as they dance among research perspectives.