The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to the persistence of university seniors pursuing a baccalaureate degree and preparing for medical school admission. This topic is important as a vast majority of students who begin their undergraduate studies identifying as "pre-med" change this objective early in their academic…

This article reports on the use of participatory action research (PAR) in a graduate teacher education research course. It presents data on how the Principles of Kwanzaa are exemplified in community activities in an African American community in Toledo, Ohio. Using a case study approach, the PAR focused on two questions: (1) In what ways do…

Male social work students are a numerical minority in Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs, a reality that warrants exploration as the academy strives for greater diversity within preservice social work programs. The present qualitative phenomenological study examined how male social work students in one BSW university program perceived their…

This article discusses the findings of an exploratory qualitative study that examined the influences of individual and collective sociocultural identities on the community involvements and high academic achievement of 10 Black alumni who attended a predominantly White institution between 1985 and 2008. Syntagmatic narrative analysis and…

This study explored the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in college writing classrooms. The researcher interviewed 37 college students and 11 faculty members from a variety of different types of colleges and universities. LGBT students stated concerns about their overall campus experiences, safety, and identity.…

In this analysis I reflected how research reflexivity and professional use of self assisted me in completing my phenomenological doctoral study about African American mothers' experiences of sexual mistreatment and how those experiences influence their child rearing practices within an extended family system. I combined research and social work…

School age children and adolescents who participate in school gardening projects tend to eat more fruits and vegetables. Adults who participate in community gardening projects report that they also eat more fruits and vegetables, are more physically active and enjoy other social and emotional benefits as a result of gardening. Using a…

The article summarizes the keynote address delivered at the 23rd Annual Ethnographic & Qualitative Research Conference. It is routine for qualitative researchers to "locate" themselves, sharing their history in relation to the settings/contexts, issues, vocabularies, identities, and other factors associated with their topic of inquiry. In this…

This phenomenological, qualitative research study involved in-depth interviews with 22 participants enrolled in a private Midwestern university. Each participant reported living with a respective chronic pain syndrome while also being a full-time student. Our semi-structured, interviews centered around the constructs of physical, social,…

Teacher education is not only about teaching teachers the art and science of instruction, but it also should encompass a political agenda, helping educators to recognize and address oppressive practices in our schools and in our communities. Through a disability studies framework, teacher candidates can be guided toward social and political action…

The benefits of students' experiences of community, especially in K-12 settings, are well established in the professional literature; however, the influence of college students' perceptions of classroom community is a relatively new focus in educational research. Even less is known about professors' perceptions of classroom community; particularly…

The empirical research about teacher leadership is limited despite the expectation that teachers should assume leadership responsibilities within their schools. The present article includes findings drawn from a larger qualitative research study whereby 4 teachers explored their motivations to pursue a master's degree in teacher leadership. The…

In this study, we examined dynamics of pedagogical involvement of 39 preservice teachers (PST) as they tutored students at a charter school serving lower income, diverse students. We qualitatively analyzed PSTs' initial predictions, refections following each tutoring session, our observations of college students' lessons, and final anonymous…

In this study, we investigated how individuals from diverse backgrounds learn to navigate the many worlds in which they live and explore how variations in life experiences are associated with aspects of navigating across cultures. We conducted the study using a phenomenological approach based on retrospective personal narratives from 19 young…

What enables one student to persist in the face of adversity while another chooses to quit? To answer this question, I captured the lived experiences of 3 female and 3 male postsecondary students who self-identified as either gay, lesbian, or bisexual, all of whom were successfully completing their undergraduate degrees. Utilizing a life history…