Qualitative lecture 10- Reflexivity Flashcards
1
Q
Identity and performance
A
- We perform particular identities- socially scripted or expected.
- Identity constructions have both practical and material consequences. (e.g. Gender inequality)
2
Q
What is Reflexivity?
A
- Reflexivity speaks to the negotiation of power in research and the role identity plays in such negotiations
- Reflexivity checks researchers’ assumptions, worldviews, standpoint methodologies, and experience.
- Reflexivity involves a researcher’s reflection on who they are, their assumptions, and how they impact the research process.
3
Q
What do our identities, assumptions, experiences, and worldviews shape?
A
- The topics we study and the kind of questions we ask
- The approaches and methods
- The data we collect from participants
- Our interpretation of the data.
4
Q
How do we negotiate gender in the field?
A
- Gendering has both practical and material consequences for both men and women. This is linked to social expectations
- Fieldwork as a bodily experience- we are physically “there”
- Our bodies “do” certain things in the field- appearances
- Posture: the researcher’s way of situating themselves, their life experiences and situation, style and language in the fieldwork
- Posture is informed by our life situations and experiences- a particular way of positioning ourselves in relation the the topic and participants.
- Posture shapes dynamics in the research field- power.
- The physical field (where research takes place) and power.
- Participants are not passive- agency
5
Q
Look at slides for the rest.
A
6
Q
What is the process of reflexive thinking?
A
It is cyclical
1. Interview with participant
2. What were you thinking and feeling at the time?
3. Acknowledge your baggage: assumptions, values, political leaning, culture etc.
4. What influence might this have on your findings?
5. Re-evaluate your findings
6. Feed reflexive insight back into next interviews.
