The Promise of Ecological Inquiry in Writing Research

Abstract

Ecological inquiry (EI) in research of academic and workplace writing explores interactions between individuals and environments as these entities interpenetrate. This article provides a brief history from the past 3 decades of developments in writing theory. It then outlines the key tenets of EI, highlights how EI is compatible with other models, and presents new and interesting possibilities afforded by this type of inquiry.

Keywords:

• ecological inquiry
• interaction between individuals and environments
• writing theory

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stuart MacMillan

Stuart MacMillan is language lab director and part-time lecturer in linguistics at Mount Allison University. He holds a PhD in Educational Technology from Concordia University and an MA in Applied Language Studies from Carleton University.