Themes from blogs
2) marginalization / oppression of “the other”
Idea that the ‘researched’ were marginalized and
oppressed stems from postmodernist, post-positivist and post-colonial theory
critiquing traditional qualitative research theories
‘the other’ is a potent word and powerful force of
oppression. By ‘othering’ a group or a
person you reduce their human connection to you (the researcher) creating a
hierarchy of power.
4) “subjects” vs “objects” of research
Links to the concept of oppression of “the other” as
if the researched is labelled to as an object then they are a passive
voice. If the researched is a subject
there is more scope for their voice to be heard (although this is not a
foregone conclusion – efforts have to be made.
Action participatory research is a good example where subjects are
involved. Feminist theory etc look to
give voices to the ‘subject’ but they may still be marginalized depending on
the orientation of the research.
6) The neutral, objective, rational, researcher?
All human beings are biased based on their
personality and sense of self, their world view – all people are race,
gendered, classed etc
The attempts to create some sense of neutrality,
objectivity, rationality as a researcher are an important part of the process.
Even if these things cannot be achieved, the justification for the purpose of
research needs to be thought through with these ideas in mind.
9) Postmodern ideas of truth and power
Challenge neutrality
Assert all research is interpretive and
fundamentally political
There are issues of power in research and
traditionally it has silence many marginalized and oppressed groups by making
them passive objects
Qualitative research is the worst because of its
historical complicity with colonialism
Western, Eurocentric notions of ‘truth’, that stem
from rational, neutral, and objective ‘truth’ (scientific) has been a blanket
that dampened the authority of alternative ‘truths’. Post-modernist ideas challenged
this accepted notion of truth and western, Eurocentric power. The explosion of alternative truths and challenges
to power continue to play out today.
10) Theory vs. practice.
Mountain top vs up close on the ground
Theory provides the context, but then the data may
not fit with the theory
Rather than forcing a round peg in a square hole –
look for plausible explanations.
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