Positionality Paper

Words: 545
Pages: 3

Today’s class focused on the interview and field note observation process. The interview process allows the researcher and participant to be transparent with each other. Several weeks ago, we discussed Bourke’s (2014) positionality reading and how that plays an integral role in the research. Positionality is the process of the researcher delineating their position from the study. While conducting the interview process, it is essential for the author to offer their stance to the participant. Positionality implies that our position may influence the aspect of the study. I should have reflected my positionality before the interview. My topic was, “College Minority’s Perspectives of being excluded from Summer Bridge Programs.” My positionality …show more content…
I used Nick Cannon VLAD interview on YouTube to help guide myself for the interview assignment. Nick Cannon provided an interview to remember because he articulated his perceptions and beliefs with real-life scenarios. Moreover, VLAD seems like he researched his participant thoroughly and asked open-ended questions to get Nick Cannon to open up. The interview had nothing to do with Nick Cannon acting and business career. The conversation discussed the formation of street gangs and the reasons why young African American boys often quit schools to join gangs. VLAD a White male with no real-world ties to the African American community yet, he opened Nick Cannon up like a book on a culturally sensitive topic. Following the interview, I began to construct questions for the discussion I set up later that day; furthermore, I used some of the guiding principles we discussed in class then that day. My first statement was, “Tell me about yourself.” Dr. Baggett mentioned the tell me about yourself statement was an ice-breaker. One question that I asked was, “Did you (the participant) feel welcomed at Auburn?” I felt like I didn’t get a passionate response from the participant and rushed in for the kill too quickly. I should have spent more time bracketing myself from the research and getting to know the participant before asking that