Journaling and Self-Study in an International Research Collective

• In Event: Reaching Cultural Understanding Through Self-Study

Abstract

This self-study analyzes the role of an interactive online journal in an international research collective. It draws from the theoretical foundations of reflective teaching/journaling, culturally-responsive education, social constructivism and self-study. The participants are the three authors whose home countries are the: United States, China, and Japan. A systematic qualitative analysis of the transcripts from their journal entries reveal how journaling: 1) cultivates a community of critical friends; 2) helps researchers in international partnerships navigate and think through the research process together; and 3) fosters a culturally-responsive approach to international education research. This study is educationally significant because it illustrates how journaling and self-study are effective tools for supporting successful international research collaborations in education.

Authors

• Amber Strong Makaiau, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Lu Leng, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Suguru Fukui, Hiroshima University