LINGUIST List 16.1374
Fri Apr 29 2005
Diss: Applied Ling: Baxter: 'Hacker Writers ...'
Editor for this issue: Megan Zdrojkowski
<meganlinguistlist.org>
Directory
1. Scott
Baxter,
Hacker Writers: A Study of the Literacy Practices of Selected Writers in a Computer Science Research Laboratory
Message 1: Hacker Writers: A Study of the Literacy Practices of Selected Writers in a Computer Science Research Laboratory
Date: 29-Apr-2005
From: Scott Baxter <baxters
purdue.edu>
Subject: Hacker Writers: A Study of the Literacy Practices of Selected Writers in a Computer Science Research Laboratory
Institution: Purdue University
Program: Department of English
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2005
Author: Scott J Baxter
Dissertation Title: Hacker Writers: A Study of the Literacy Practices of Selected Writers in a Computer Science Research Laboratory
Linguistic Field(s):
Applied Linguistics
Dissertation Director:
Tony Silva
Dissertation Abstract:
This dissertation is a study of three second language writers who were all
doctoral students in a computer science research laboratory. More
specifically, the dissertation describes the writing experiences of each of
the writers and, equally important, the attitudes each of those writers had
toward their writing experiences. The first chapter reviews the available
literature on the affective dimension of both first and second language
writing as well as on the affective dimension of writing in computer
science; it also outlines the research questions that guide the study. The
second chapter provides a context for the study by describing the site and
describing the methods of data collection and analysis. Chapters three
through five focus on the three participants in the study: Hiroshi, Daniel,
and Adam. Chapter three describes Hiroshi's experiences learning English,
how he chose his field of study, how he learned to write, and his attitudes
toward reading. Chapter four describes Daniel's experiences learning
English, how he gained confidence as a writer and researcher, where his
research interests came from, his experiences with reviewers, and his
attitudes toward his first language. Chapter five describes how Adam found
his field of study, his significant teacher and writing experiences, his
internship experiences, his attitudes toward reading, and his attitudes
toward writing. Each of these chapters ends with a series of reflections in
order to articulate the relationship between the subjects and the research,
to show the reseacher's biases, and to suggest that the stories of Hiroshi,
Daniel, and Adam are not unique to a small group of second language
writers. The dissertation ends by returning to the research questions
raised in the first chapter, outlining implications for theory, research,
and teaching, and suggesting promising directions for future research.