Designing Research with Care: A Critical Race Nepantlera Methodological Approach to Rural Latinx College Access

Research has widely documented the lack of educational resources and opportunities available to rural communities. Cognizant of the structural and spatial barriers facing rural communities, this study intentionally employed a critical race nepantlera methodology (CRNM) to mitigate the adverse effects of living in geographically isolated, systemically underinvested rural areas. Rather than perpetuating a false notion of objectivity in research, the research team actively supported rural Latinx students in accessing higher education through a CRNM research design, which prioritizes the well-being of research collaborators over the study. In enacting a CRNM approach, the research team demonstrated care while increasing students’ access to higher education by (a) logistically supporting college application completion, (b) emotionally validating college concerns and pursuits, and (c) building bridges to institutional resources. Implications for rural-serving schools and rural educational researchers are discussed based on deep values of care and relationality in rural communities.