Developing an Instrument to Assess Conceptions of Graduate Writing Supervision in Engineering

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Abstract

This study examined Engineering faculty conceptions of research writing and doctoral writing supervision, addressing gaps in understanding discipline-specific approaches to supporting doctoral students' writing development. Through a two-phase approach, we developed and refined the Engineering Conceptions of Writing Supervision (E-COWS) instrument.First, semi-structured interviews with 12 Engineering faculty revealed six interconnected conceptions of research writing and five dimensions of writing supervision, informing the development of an instrument of conceptions of writing supervision. Second, cognitive interviews contributed to addressing face and content validity of the instrument. The result is an initial measure of writing supervision conceptions designed explicitly for Engineering contexts.

Author

• Gala Sofia Campos Oaxaca, Pennsylvania State University