3.7 Reflexivity Statement
In activity 3.5, we discussed the problem of researcher bias mainly in relation to qualitative/social research. Some recent studies have shown, however, that some biases exist in all fields of science. Our evaluation of new data or evidence is never fully objective and is always influenced by our convictions or by our favourite theory. E.g., we tend to neglect information that contradicts our past decisions and judgments. One tool to face this problem can be a reflexivity statement (or subjectivity statement). “The reflexivity statement expresses the a priori views, values and beliefs of the study author(s) about the subject of interest. It is intended to provide some transparency and give readers an insight into the lens through which the authors have viewed their data (Downe et al., 2019)”.
Assignment
- Once again, enter a (preliminary) title of your thesis as a title of new post in this forum. Write a brief statement of your own subjectivity (as explained in the previous activity) or reflexivity in relation to your topic of thesis. The statement can be e.g. autobiographical, describing shortly your personal history, its relation to your thesis topic, and how your background could influence the research process. Or you can describe just the story of your thesis research – how and why your relationship to topic evolved. (You might want to include this statement into your thesis.)
- Read the posts of your classmates. Reply to at least one of them, suggesting how else could be classmate’s study influenced by positionality or bias.