A Synthesis of Qualitative Studies of Writing Center Tutoring, 1983-2006

This synthesis of studies came about when one of the authors, who was searching for a unified theory of writing center tutoring, discovered that it would require analyzing existing studies to mine them for theories. The authors note that writing centers began appearing over a 20-year period beginning in the late 20th century. Among the topics addressed are: personal characteristics of participants, external influences, communication and emotion, roles, temperament, and outcome. Each chapter except the conclusion ends with a summary. Authors are Babcock (English, U. of Texas of the Permian Basin), Manning (writing center director and coordinator of developmental English, Frank and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism), and Rogers (U. of Texas and project research assistant). Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Rebecca Day Babcock is Associate Professor of English at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, where she teaches writing and linguistics. Her writings have appeared in Writing Lab Newsletter, The Journal of College Reading and Learning, Linguistics and Education, and Composition Forum as well as several popular publications. She is the co-author (with Terese Thonus) of Researching the Writing Center: Towards an Evidence-Based Practice (Peter Lang, 2012), and winner of the 2011 International Writing Centers Association (IWCA) Outstanding Article Award.
Kellye Manning is Director of the Writing Center and Coordinator of Developmental English at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, where she also teaches writing. She frequently works as a freelance editor and copy editor on a variety of scholarly works, and currently serves as journal manager for The Social Science Journal.
Travis Rogers is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where he earned his MJ at the Frank and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. While earning his BA in English and communication at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Rogers worked at the university Writing Center under Kellye Manning. In 2006, Rebecca Babcock and Manning recruited him to be a research assistant during the genesis of the project that would later evolve into this book. Rogers remained involved in the project, helping to present it at the 2008 IWCA conference, and later becoming the third co-author.