Argues that empiricism has a role as a complement to humanistic methodologies in composition research. Humanistic methodologies yield the stuff of hypotheses; empirically proven hypotheses provide further ground for humanistic interpretation. (MS)

Critiques the notion that ethnographic methods enable writing researchers to "know" about the construction of knowledge in the communities they study. Maintains that a radical self-critique would reveal that ethnography is not mainly an empirical methodology but more a rhetoric wherein researchers discover as much about themselves as…

Presents a critique of the common practice of compositionists to enlist students as subjects of close scrutiny in case studies. Considers Michel Foucault's claim that the power to educate and the power to punish are interrelated. Comments on demands for action and alternative programs in light of such concerns. (HB)