Yuvamathi Gandhi, A. Randall, Gabriel A. León, Hannah Martinson, L. Hocker, J. Bekki, B. Bernstein, Kerrie G. Wilkins-Yel
{"title":"A Dynamic Dyadic Systems Perspective on Communication of Real-Time Support Between Graduate Women in STEM and Their Mentor","authors":"Yuvamathi Gandhi, A. Randall, Gabriel A. León, Hannah Martinson, L. Hocker, J. Bekki, B. Bernstein, Kerrie G. Wilkins-Yel","doi":"10.1080/19312458.2023.2242774","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Women of Color (WoC) in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) leave doctoral programs at disproportionately high rates. Supportive mentorship is key to increasing belonging and rates of retention, yet little is known about how conversations between mentees and their mentors on academic and personal stress topics unfold in real-time. Applying the lens of Social Cognitive Career Theory to communication dynamics between mentees and mentors, the present study utilized a dynamic dyadic systems (DDS) perspective to examine observationally coded data from six mentee-mentor dyads. First, hierarchical clustering analysis was applied to identify speaking turn types. Then, sequence analysis was used to identify common multi-turn patterns or conversation motifs (CM). Results showed five predominant CMs: (CM1) support provision through listening; (CM2) focus on mentor’s experience; (CM3) support provision through advice; (CM4) mentee’s making a bid for support; and (CM5) mentor dominated conversations. This study demonstrates methods for identifying potentially meaningful patterns of support in stress conversations between mentees and mentors. The application of such methods with larger samples may aid in understanding ways to increase retention among WoC in STEM through mentor support provision.","PeriodicalId":47552,"journal":{"name":"Communication Methods and Measures","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3000,"publicationDate":"2023-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Communication Methods and Measures","FirstCategoryId":"98","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/19312458.2023.2242774","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"COMMUNICATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
ABSTRACT Women of Color (WoC) in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) leave doctoral programs at disproportionately high rates. Supportive mentorship is key to increasing belonging and rates of retention, yet little is known about how conversations between mentees and their mentors on academic and personal stress topics unfold in real-time. Applying the lens of Social Cognitive Career Theory to communication dynamics between mentees and mentors, the present study utilized a dynamic dyadic systems (DDS) perspective to examine observationally coded data from six mentee-mentor dyads. First, hierarchical clustering analysis was applied to identify speaking turn types. Then, sequence analysis was used to identify common multi-turn patterns or conversation motifs (CM). Results showed five predominant CMs: (CM1) support provision through listening; (CM2) focus on mentor’s experience; (CM3) support provision through advice; (CM4) mentee’s making a bid for support; and (CM5) mentor dominated conversations. This study demonstrates methods for identifying potentially meaningful patterns of support in stress conversations between mentees and mentors. The application of such methods with larger samples may aid in understanding ways to increase retention among WoC in STEM through mentor support provision.
期刊介绍:
Communication Methods and Measures aims to achieve several goals in the field of communication research. Firstly, it aims to bring attention to and showcase developments in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to communication scholars. This journal serves as a platform for researchers across the field to discuss and disseminate methodological tools and approaches.
Additionally, Communication Methods and Measures seeks to improve research design and analysis practices by offering suggestions for improvement. It aims to introduce new methods of measurement that are valuable to communication scientists or enhance existing methods. The journal encourages submissions that focus on methods for enhancing research design and theory testing, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Furthermore, the journal is open to articles devoted to exploring the epistemological aspects relevant to communication research methodologies. It welcomes well-written manuscripts that demonstrate the use of methods and articles that highlight the advantages of lesser-known or newer methods over those traditionally used in communication.
In summary, Communication Methods and Measures strives to advance the field of communication research by showcasing and discussing innovative methodologies, improving research practices, and introducing new measurement methods.