SOC 322 Methods of Social Research II: Qualitative Research

  Reflexivity  (3w)

Objectives:  When you complete this module, you should be able to: • Compare observations and interviews as research methods. • Conduct in-depth interviews and participant observation. • Design an interview questionnaire.  

 

Personal Location

Possible Advantage

Possible Barriers

Research Interest

Biography and/or beliefs

Socio-Economic Position

How to fill out this table

Take a look at this

example 

            The Reflexivity Tool is to help you situate yourself relative to your research topic and identify your potential assets and biases. Think hard and be honest when you fill it out. You will use this information in the methodology section of your final paper for this course. Below are indications regarding what each column and row covers:

Personal location: What is your position relative to each dimension (research interest, biography, or socio-economic position)? Where do you stand? Think of your life experience as well as your opinions. Just state your personal location, don’t try to analyze it, since this is what the other two columns are for.

Potential advantages: How may this help you conduct research?

Potential barriers: How may this make it more difficult for you to gain objective information and come to valid conclusions?

Research interest: How interested (or not) are you in this project? What do you hope to find? What is your past experience with conducting research? What is your knowledge of the topic? How do you feel about conducting interviews or observations?

Biography and/or beliefs: Do you have personal experiences that relate to this topic? Do you have strong personal beliefs about it? Do you have beliefs or experiences that may influence how you approach this topic?

Socio-economic position: What is your social status? Think, for instance, about your gender, race/ethnicity, age, level of education, occupation, income, religion, sexual orientation, and marital status. How does it compare to the socio-economic status of the people you are going to interview or come in contact with in your observations?

Add essay (Brief Paragraph):

After you complete the table, add a summary paragraph answering the following question:

Identify some potential areas where you may not agree with your research subjects, and describe the strategies you will use to offer genuine empathy even when you do not agree/accept the participants’ views.
*Remember, it is not a good idea to complete this assignment by saying you are completely neutral and objective and open-minded, and so you will have “no problem” connecting with anyone. Research always includes unanticipated problems, and everyone has opinions, no one is completely neutral about everything. Please complete a realistic, holistic assessment.

How to fill out this table

The Reflexivity Tool is to help you situate yourself relative to your research topic and identify your potential assets and biases. Think hard and be honest when you fill it out. You will use this information in the methodology section of your paper. Below are indications regarding what each column and row covers:

Personal location: What is your position relative to each dimension (research interest, biography, or socio-economic position)? Where do you stand? Think of your life experience as well as your opinions. Just state your personal location, don’t try to analyze it, since this is what the other two columns are for.
Potential advantages: How may this help you conduct research?
Potential barriers: How may this make it more difficult for you to gain objective information and come to valid conclusions?
Research interest: How interested (or not) are you in this project? What do you hope to find? What is your past experience with conducting research? What is your knowledge of the topic? How do you feel about conducting interviews or observations?
Biography and/or beliefs: Do you have personal experiences that relate to this topic? Do you have strong personal beliefs about it? Do you have beliefs or experiences that may influence how you approach this topic?

Socio-economic position: What is your social status? Think, for instance, about your gender, race/ethnicity, age, level of education, occupation, income, religion, sexual orientation, and marital status. How does it compare to the socio-economic status of the people you are going to interview or come in contact within your observations?

Add essay (Brief Paragraph):
After you complete the table, add a summary paragraph answering the following question:

1. Identify some potential areas where you may not agree with your research subjects, and describe the strategies you will use to offer genuine empathy even when you do not agree/accept the participants’ views.
*Remember, it is not a good idea to complete this assignment by saying you are completely neutral and objective and open-minded, and so you will have “no problem” connecting with anyone. Research always includes unanticipated problems, and everyone has opinions, no one is completely neutral about everything. Please complete a realistic, holistic assessment.