Reflexivity over caste and gender: disrupting researcher’s bias beliefs and habitus

Abstract

Reflexivity is not a new concept; however, the researcher’s reflexivity on caste and gender preconception in the South Asian context is an understudied area in qualitative studies. We know less about how a researcher’s prejudice can unconsciously exclude Dalits and females from their research. In this critical autoethnographic study, I extend the concept of reflexivity by illustrating first awareness of the subtle nuances of my own prejudiced disposition and belief against Dalit and female participants, and second how preconceptions can be disrupted by the researcher being conscious of everyday actions in the research field, and questioning moments of awkwardness or difficulties in and out of the field.