Positionality
Definition
The contextualization of both the research environment and the researcher, to define the boundaries within the research was produced (Jafar, 2018). Positionality is typically centred and celebrated in qualitative research, but there have been recent calls for it to also be used in quantitative research as well. Positionality statements, whereby a researcher outlines their background and ‘position’ within and towards the research, have been suggested as one method of recognising and centring researcher bias.
References:
- Jafar, A. J. N. (2018). What is positionality and should it be expressed in quantitative studies? Emergency Medicine Journal, 35(5), 323–324. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2017-207158
- Reflexivity. (2017). http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199599868.001.0001/acref-9780199599868-e-1530
Originally drafted by: Joanne McCuaig
Reviewed by: Helena Hartmann, Aoife O’Mahony, Madeleine Pownall, Graham Reid
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