Literacy Practices of The Mumbai Dabbawalas, India

Uma S. Krishnan is a Professor at Kent State University, where she holds various roles. She is the head of the Writing Internship Program and serves as the Associate Writing Program Coordinator in the Department of English. Additionally, she is an honorary faculty in the Religion Studies-Minor Program. Outside of her academic responsibilities, she serves as the faculty advisor for the May 4 Task Force (M4TF) Student Organization and as Assistant Co-chair for the Global/Non-Western Standing Group, College of Composition and Communication.

Table of Contents





Part 1 – Dream











Visualizing the research topic/project










Narrowing and Providing rationale for choosing a specific topic










Choosing a dissertation director










Formatting the research question










Developing a rough sketch of methods section










Passing the Citi Test and Writing the IRB: What is an IRB? Why IRB?










Preparing the prospectus or proposal for submission to the committee






Part 2 – Design









Understanding the methodology










Choosing the location and participants










Chalking out other aspects of the study in minute details- including writing field notes










Arriving at the location – Bounding the study










Designing the data collection








Part 3 – Develop











Unpacking all aspects of the field notes including Transcribing and Translating







Beginning of Coding-fracturing and reducing: From data dump to data saturation to data theorization










Recognizing the complexity and beauty in coding through personal memos and



Deciphering the larger picture to overcome frustration









Crosschecking and ensuring ethical practices: Triangulation and New discovery – triangle becomes cyclical










Findings based on selective coding and deciphering the larger picture










Writing the Ethnographic case study and feeling Upsilamba






Part 4 – Demonstrate









Sending the chapters to the committee










Preparing for the defense










Developing confidence and defending your brainchild










Succeeding in your efforts and congratulating yourself on a job well done










Submitting to the national repository- Official completion of M.A/Ph.D