Reflexivity Statement
Questions taken from:
Creative Research Methods in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide
Helen Kara
Kara, H (2015) Creative Research Methods in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide. Bristol: Policy Press
p.72
How do I define my identity? How does that affect my research practice?
I am a black, mixed-race woman who was educated and has worked in majority white environments. I know what it is to experience the dominance of particular cultural narratives. This means that the idea of research that moves away from master narratives and a correct way of doing things; instead working for social justice and embracing complex and multiple ways of knowing makes sense to me.
I am a maker, who has trained technically and creatively in art and design as well as being philosophically comfortable with subjectivity, shifting, debateable criteria and partial truths.
I am new to research, so I need to be careful that what I produce works in both art and research contexts.
What are my values and beliefs, and how are they operating in my research work?
In life, the things I care about most are making and people, therefore I would like to bring these areas together in my research.
I am interested in emotional, relational, experiential and sensory subjects. Arts-based methods are appropriate for this territory.
Which of my biases and assumptions are relevant here and how are they affecting my research?
When observing, I may be more sensitive to some relational dynamics more than others due to the lens of my identity and experience. For example, racial and gender based power dynamics would resonate with me however sexuality, age and ability based dynamics may be less prominent as I am a married heterosexual, thirty-something, able bodied.
As a creative practitioner, I may be too imaginative and fill in too many gaps. I need to ensure I am evidence-based and do not take artistic license too far.
What impact do my emotional responses have on my research?
My emotional response are essential data in my research. As they are centred rather than being additional this will hopefully make them an asset rather than something to lead anything astray.
Am I being as honest and transparent as possible about all these factors in presenting my research?
I think so. However, the thing I have to be most careful of is trying to tie things up too neatly or present them as being sure. I need to make sure I am not trying to make up for my lack of research experience. I need instead to celebrate and focus on anything I am unsure of and expose and unpack what I don’t understand.