Abstract
Researchers are not a homogenous group and the world of the researcher is a non‐static social construction ridden with power struggles. A non‐native researcher may fail in their attempt to world‐travel if they are not open to self‐construction.
Highlights
The positionality of the researcher can affect the entire research experience and social scientists are being more reflexive about their research experiences. Chiswell and Wheeler (2016) reflect on how the particularities of farmer interviews pose unique and challenging prospects for young inexperienced female researchers. De Silva and Gandhi (2018) reflect on how social networks and relations between researchers and their parents could be useful in gaining access during field research
This paper demonstrates that research is politics and researchers must take the impact of their positionality on the entire research process more seriously
Researchers are not a homogenous group and the world of the researcher is a non‐static social construction ridden with power struggles
Summary
The positionality of the researcher can affect the entire research experience and social scientists are being more reflexive about their research experiences. Chiswell and Wheeler (2016) reflect on how the particularities of farmer interviews pose unique and challenging prospects for young inexperienced female researchers. De Silva and Gandhi (2018) reflect on how social networks and relations between researchers and their parents could be useful in gaining access during field research. I was too meticulous and different from the stereotypical construct of African PhD researchers, who are often perceived as incapable of gaining credible access to social domains left for the “sophisticated” researcher In this “new world,” my Africanness was foreign. As an African PhD student, I can be intimidated and there would be no diplomatic fallout To these powerful social actors, terminating my research activities would reduce the chances of gaining full access to sensitive and privileged information in the local community. Such encounters may constrain research and shape findings, it may reveal the local political economy in sharper contrast Such encounters may constrain research and shape findings, it may reveal the local political economy in sharper contrast (Cramer et al, 2015, p. 147)
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