Methodological interest convergence: research site anonymity’s maintenance of structural racism

Abstract

Anonymity is an unquestioned norm in education research, yet few scholars have theorized how this methodological standard reaffirms structural racism. This practice is critical to question given the presiding mismatch between the rhetoric and practice of racial diversity across educational contexts. Using Derrick Bell’s interest convergence as a critical race framework, I contend institutional review boards (IRBs) embody a converging of interests between educational institutions and research participants (particularly People of Color). As a de facto requirement of IRBs, research site anonymity disrupts readers’ ability to imagine structural racism as a normal and endemic component of American education. As a result, the predilection to default to anonymity without question minimizes racism’s impact and perpetuates cultures of silence deeming racism socially taboo. This conceptual paper concludes with a discussion of limitations and additional methodological points for readers to consider.