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WhatsApp with Doctoral Researchers: A Reflexive Autoethnography

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Bibliographic Details
Title: WhatsApp with Doctoral Researchers: A Reflexive Autoethnography
Language: English
Authors: Kathy Chandler (ORCID 0000-0002-9396-5578)
Source: Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education. 2026 17(2):165-181.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Social Media, Computer Mediated Communication, Doctoral Students, Student Research, Autobiographies, Ethnography, Communities of Practice, Well Being, Professional Development, Sense of Community, Information Seeking, Researchers, Information Dissemination, Sharing Behavior
DOI: 10.1108/SGPE-04-2024-0043
ISSN: 2398-4686
Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to examine how being part of a WhatsApp community of doctoral researchers over a five-year period influences the author's well-being, learning and professional development. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a digital autoethnographic approach, using the author's own contributions to a WhatsApp group of doctoral researchers as data. Findings: For the researcher, WhatsApp plays a significant and positive role in fostering community. The group engenders a sense of connection in a "backstage" community, where feelings can be shared honestly and reassurance received, thus supporting well-being. In this community, it is easy to seek advice about research. It also provides a low-stakes environment in which to learn how to offer advice to others, the experience of doing so contributing to professional development as a doctoral supervisor. Practical implications: The insights gained will be useful for doctoral researchers considering the potential value of peer support and also for those supporting and supervising them. Originality/value: This paper provides a rare glimpse into a peer-led WhatsApp community of doctoral researchers. It adds to the literature that uses rhizome theory as a theoretical lens, showing how rhizomatic principles and ideas around assemblages can be helpful in analysing multiple aspects of WhatsApp groups and other similar online communities.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507534
Database: ERIC
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  Data: WhatsApp with Doctoral Researchers: A Reflexive Autoethnography
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kathy+Chandler%22">Kathy Chandler</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9396-5578">0000-0002-9396-5578</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Studies+in+Graduate+and+Postdoctoral+Education%22"><i>Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 17(2):165-181.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Media%22">Social Media</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Doctoral+Students%22">Doctoral Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Research%22">Student Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Autobiographies%22">Autobiographies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethnography%22">Ethnography</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communities+of+Practice%22">Communities of Practice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Development%22">Professional Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Community%22">Sense of Community</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+Seeking%22">Information Seeking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Researchers%22">Researchers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+Dissemination%22">Information Dissemination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sharing+Behavior%22">Sharing Behavior</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1108/SGPE-04-2024-0043
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 2398-4686
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This study aims to examine how being part of a WhatsApp community of doctoral researchers over a five-year period influences the author's well-being, learning and professional development. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a digital autoethnographic approach, using the author's own contributions to a WhatsApp group of doctoral researchers as data. Findings: For the researcher, WhatsApp plays a significant and positive role in fostering community. The group engenders a sense of connection in a "backstage" community, where feelings can be shared honestly and reassurance received, thus supporting well-being. In this community, it is easy to seek advice about research. It also provides a low-stakes environment in which to learn how to offer advice to others, the experience of doing so contributing to professional development as a doctoral supervisor. Practical implications: The insights gained will be useful for doctoral researchers considering the potential value of peer support and also for those supporting and supervising them. Originality/value: This paper provides a rare glimpse into a peer-led WhatsApp community of doctoral researchers. It adds to the literature that uses rhizome theory as a theoretical lens, showing how rhizomatic principles and ideas around assemblages can be helpful in analysing multiple aspects of WhatsApp groups and other similar online communities.
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        Value: 10.1108/SGPE-04-2024-0043
    Languages:
      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 17
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Social Media
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Doctoral Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Research
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      – SubjectFull: Autobiographies
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      – SubjectFull: Ethnography
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      – SubjectFull: Communities of Practice
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Well Being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional Development
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      – SubjectFull: Sense of Community
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      – SubjectFull: Information Seeking
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      – SubjectFull: Researchers
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      – SubjectFull: Information Dissemination
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      – SubjectFull: Sharing Behavior
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      – TitleFull: WhatsApp with Doctoral Researchers: A Reflexive Autoethnography
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