Feminist and Critical Race scholars argue the importance of researchers specifying the specific location and context within which research is produced. For this assignment, you will critically reflect upon and interrogate your social identities (ie., race, gender, sexuality, body type, class, region, profession, etc.) and to explore how your identity shapes your engagement with research.
Guidelines:
Read: McCorkel and Meyers (2003), “What Difference Does Difference Make: Position and Privilege in the Field” Download McCorkel and Meyers (2003), “What Difference Does Difference Make: Position and Privilege in the Field”
Write: 1-2 pg reflexive memo. The questions below can be used to stimulate your thinking:
Consider the topics you may be interested in researching. How are your identities similar or divergent from your research interests?
What are your taken-for-granted assumptions, beliefs, or stereotypes that may show up in the research? Thinking about the following:
What are significant life events that shape your beliefs about the social world?
What gender roles did you observe growing up?
What types of racial attitudes were you exposed to?
What are values, beliefs, morals that may affect your interpretation of research findings?
What are your personal motivations for asking this research question?
