Evaluating qualitative inquiry in technical and scientific communication: Toward a practical and dialogic validity

Authors

Ann M. Blakeslee
Caroline M. Cole
Theresa Conefrey, Santa Clara UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1996

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Abstract

In this article, we argue that one important criterion for evaluating qualitative studies of technical and scientific communication is whether we find our accounts meaningful and capable of redirecting our scholarly and professional practices. As a means of improving our understanding of the situations and practices we study, we address how to engage in our research in ways that not only are self-reflexive and dialogic, but that also solicit and use our participants' perspectives and authority—even when they may differ from our own.

Comments

Reprinted in J. Conklin and G. F. Hayhoe, (Eds.), Qualitative Research in Technical Communication (pp. 25-48). New York, NY: Routledge.

Recommended Citation

Blakeslee, A.M., Cole, C.M., and Conefrey, T. (1996). Evaluating qualitative inquiry in technical and scientific communication: Toward a practical and dialogic validity. Technical Communication Quarterly (5) 125-149.