Positionality and reflexivity are crucial concepts in research, particularly when aiming for accessibility and inclusivity. They involve understanding and acknowledging your own social position, biases, and assumptions, and how these might influence your research process and findings.
- Positionality refers to your social and political context, including your race, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, ability, and other aspects of your identity. These factors shape your worldview, experiences, and perspectives, which can influence how you approach research questions, interact with participants, and interpret data. Recognising your positionality is not about labeling yourself but about understanding how your social location might influence your research and taking steps to mitigate potential biases.
- Reflexivity is the ongoing process of critically examining your own assumptions, values, and beliefs throughout the research process. It involves reflecting on how your positionality might be shaping your research and taking steps to ensure that your findings are not unduly influenced by your own biases. Reflexivity is an ongoing process that requires continuous self-awareness and a willingness to challenge your own assumptions.
Key Questions to Consider:
- Who am I, and how might my identity influence my research? Reflect on your social position and how it might shape your research questions, methods, and interpretations.
- What are my assumptions and biases about the topic and the people I am studying? Be honest about your preconceived notions and how they might affect your research.
- How might my presence as a researcher influence the research process and the participants? Consider the power dynamics at play and how your interactions with participants might shape their responses.
- Am I the right person to conduct this research? Reflect on whether your positionality might be a barrier to understanding the experiences of your participants. If so, consider collaborating with researchers from different backgrounds or involving community members as co-researchers.
- Is this research about a particular group, or is it with that group? Ensure that your research is not just about extracting information from a community but is conducted in partnership with them, valuing their knowledge and expertise.
By engaging in positionality and reflexivity, you can enhance the rigour and ethical integrity of your research. It allows you to acknowledge and address potential biases, build trust with participants, and produce findings that are more nuanced, accurate, and relevant to the communities you are studying. Remember, reflexivity is not a one-time activity but an ongoing process that requires continuous self-awareness and a commitment to learning and growth.
