ERIC Number: EJ1257975
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1935-3308
EISSN: N/A
Using Womanism and Reflective Journaling to Understand the Academic Experiences of Black Female Undergraduates at a Religiously-Based PWI: A Case Study Analysis
Rodriguez, Heather R.
Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, v12 n2 p125-141 Win 2017
In this extended case method analysis, Black female undergraduate students engaged in reflective journal writing in an effort to identify unique factors that impacted their academic experiences at a religiously based PWI (RBPWI). Data was gathered through reflective journal writing, a feminist and culturally relevant research methodology, which provided Black female students the opportunity to reflect on their experiences at a RBPWI. Purposive sampling was used to select academically successful Black female students (N = 8) who then wrote about academic experiences, sources of motivation, and campus climate. Students responded to a series of open-ended questions in their reflective journal writing over a two-week period. A womanist approach guided the data analysis of the journal writings with a specific focus on themes related to spirituality, mothering, family, and solidarity. The findings of this study suggest that womanist factors such as mothering and spirituality are sources of academic motivation and resilience that help Black female students succeed at RBPWIs. Results from this research also indicated that Black female students prefer to be part of social groups and clubs on campus that promote solidarity and empowerment among Black women.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Journal Writing, Reflection, Females, Student Attitudes, Spiritual Development, Academic Achievement, Student Motivation, Resilience (Psychology), Preferences, Clubs, Empowerment, Case Studies, Church Related Colleges, African American Students, Educational Experience, Student Characteristics, Mothers, Family Relationship, Role Models
Cedarville University. 251 North Main Street, Cedarville, OH 45314. Tel: 937-766-3242; Fax: 937-766-7971; e-mail: jeqr@comcast.net; Web site: http://www.jeqr.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A