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Article Critique

What is the research problem?

The research problem in this article is that there is a small amount of research examining

the lives of trans collegians (Duran & Nicolazzo, 2017, p. 526). The study opens up with a

narrative hook to draw and engage the reader into the study. They state how there has been an

increasing number to studies for gay, lesbian and bisexual students, but a small amount for trans

students. With the incorporation of the literature review in the article, they are providing an

introduction to explain the relevance of the research and to draw comparisons between previous

studies and the proposed one (Creswell & Creswell, 2019).

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of the study was to critically examine how trans collegians build

relationships romantically, academically and socially (Duran & Nicolazzo, 2017, p. 526). Duran

and Nicolazzo wanted to recognize how the decision trans students make when it comes to

sharing about their identity alongside who they wanted to build relationships with.

What are the research questions guiding the study?

For this research article the authors are using two qualitative research questions.

1. What are the experiences of trans* students as they create relationships in collegiate

environments: social, romantic, and within the classroom?

2. When formulating relationships, how do trans* collegians decide whether or not to

inform and educate others on their gender identity?

When looking at the research questions they are using two forms a central and an associated

subquestion (Creswell & Creswell, 2019). Taking a look at the first question it is asking wanting

to explore trans students’ experiences while looking at an involved set of factors that are being
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explored which are the different collegiate environments. The second question connects to the

central concept being studied while narrowing it while leaving room for questioning (Creswell &

Creswell, 2019). Having this type of question will allow for the students to share their

perspectives. Sharing students’ narratives are vital to better understand what this marginalized

student population is going through.

What theoretical framework is adopted in the study?

For this study researchers stated that they adopted a theoretical framework of transgender

theory. In the article they discuss how transgender theory is a critical paradigm that questions

conventional categorical views of identity (Duran & Nicolazzo, 2017, p. 526). With the use of

this framework allowed for the researchers to center on the participants and how they self-

identify while also focusing on their experiences being influenced from the social views of

gender. They also tie that in with the incorporation of the concept of the transgender gaze. What

this concept entails is for viewers to determine whether trans characters are being understood

(looking with) or they are being deceptive and are not who they say they are (looking at) as trans

(Duran & Nicolazzo, 2017, p. 526).

With this framework the study used ethnographic interviews to collect data. The

interviews consisted of 45-90 minute interviews to helping narrative inquiry as a methodological

approach due to the study relying on the participants narratives ().

Were any potentially important data ignored by the researcher(s)?

After looking at the data, one key item that was ignored was what was the students’ race,

ethnicity, faith, socioeconomic class, sexualities, disabilities, and gender identities. In the study,

they mentioned how they had a total of nine trans student participants that represented a variety

of social identities but when it came to the findings, they did not acknowledge most of them
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other than their gender identity. They only share in the findings the race of three students, two

who identified as Black and one White student. By not including this information would make it

difficult to identify the students and further scholarship in how we can help particular group of

trans students. Finding out how the students’ relationships are is quite valuable however it is also

important to acknowledge the race and identities of thew students. Without those we would be

unable to assist minoritized groups within the already minoritized trans community. Most

research has been seen towards the perspectives from White students but there is not much

research being presented towards color students. It is vital that we narrow that gap in research

and find ways on how we can better support his group of students.

What are the limitations of the study?

One major limitation that immediately stands out is the small sample of students as well

as the site in which the study took place. In the study they state that the study took place at an

institution in which there has been record of numerous racist, homophobic, genderist, classicist

incidents reported (Duran & Nicolazzo, 2017, p. 526). Having this study take place there

manifests the worry of the trans students as they would be scared of having a negative reaction if

and when they were to disclose their own gender identity. In regard to the subject, trans students

have not been studied or even acknowledged by research until now. It is important that we make

them more visible because they do live among us and should be represented and studied to we

can provide more assistance toward the research that has been done. With more research we can

help trans students in their development and better assist them.

Another limitation would be that of using interviews as the only source of data for the

study. Using interviews are useful for learning and hearing from the participants narratives

however, when it comes to presenting them can show the researchers bias. In the findings the
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researchers only presented certain individuals experiences for either one of the three types of

relationships. Rather than sharing everyone’s experiences and narratives the researchers chose

certain participants in certain relationships. In the article they state the second author transcribed

these interviews verbatim. In the article they do provide some direct quotes from the participants

however they are fixed to be to what the main topic of what is being discussed. When dealing

with certain relationships the trans students each have their own experiences so it would be hard

to affiliate what one student experiences to others.

How do the results of the study inform your student population of interest?

The results provided from the study allow for more scholarship and research for the trans

student community. There is very scarce amount of research that has been done focusing

primarily on trans students that there needs to be more. The population of interest for our group

presentation is trans students of color. With this study, it contributes to the growth of trans

identity development and how it explored the relevance of emotional and intimate relationships

for trans students (Duran & Nicolazzo, 2017, p. 526). This is important to my population of

interest for our final group project as we focus on their sense of safety on or off-campus and if

there is no sense of safety how students could be able to form any relationships with anyone.

There being little to no research that worries me about the trans community of students.

Trans students have every right just as heterosexual student’s however the research is not fully

explored. Coming to this realization there should be more studies and research towards trans

students to understand their narrative and perspective on things because they share their own set

of experiences. Every person is different in their own way and as higher education scholar-

practitioners we have to acknowledge that. By performing more research, we should be able to

better assist the trans student community.

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References

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed

methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage.

Duran, Antonio, & Nicolazzo, Z. (2017). Exploring the Ways Trans Collegians Navigate

Academic, Romantic, and Social Relationships. Journal of College Student Development,

58(4), 526–544. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2017.0041

Jones, S. R., Torres, V., & Arminio, J. (2013). Negotiating the Complexities of Qualitative

Research in Higher Education. Taylor and Francis.

https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203123836