Reflexivity for Restorying the Ontological and Epistemological Truths in Qualitative Research

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2023.339

Keywords:

philosophy, praxis, antiracism, critical inquiry, transformative learning

Abstract

This article serves to contextualize and problematize reflexivity as a construct for restorying the truths told by doctoral students in qualitative dissertation research. First, it gives an overview of Webster University’s EdD program and its inception of requiring qualitative research coursework for contextualizing the importance of qualitative framing in doctoral research. Then, the authors review and examine the definitions of reflexivity as a construct in qualitative research, the logic-of-inquiry required in dissertation research, the connections of reflexivity to the program ethos, global perspectives on worldview and knowledge construction, and the reframing of ontological and epistemological truths in the literature. The EdD Director and five doctoral candidates recount their positionality and intersectionality and contest the status quo framings of worldview and knowledge construction in educational research. Their resistance to the traditional ontological and epistemological truths and advocacy for restorying via reflexivity is a manifestation of their dedication to transforming the status quo ontology and epistemology in educational research.

References

Allen, B. J. (2012). Introduction. In G. G. y Muhs, Y. F. Niemann, C. G. Gonzalez, and A. P. Harris (Eds.), Presumed incompetent: The intersections of race and class for women in academia (pp. 17-19). University Press of Colorado.

Bengtson, E., Lasater, K. Murphy-Lee, M. M., and Jones, S. J. (2016). The role of research courses. In J.A. Perry (Ed.), The Ed.D. and the scholarly practitioner: The CPED path (pp. 79-104). Information Age Publishing.

Bracken, S. (2010). Discussing the importance of ontology and epistemology awareness in practitioner research. Worcester Journal of Learning and Teaching, 4, 1–9.

Chiseri-Strater, E. (1996). Turning in upon ourselves: Positionality, subjectivity and reflexivity in case study and ethnographic research. In P. Mortensen, & G. Kirsch (Eds.), Ethics and representation in qualitative studies of literacy (pp. 115–133). National Council of Teachers.

Clay, V. (2022, May 13). The racial barriers: An exploration of mental health resources for school counselors in urban schools. In Webster University School of Education Commencement Ceremony, [Speech, unpublished], St. Louis, MO, United States.

Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139–167. https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf/vol1989/iss1/8

Davis, T., and Harrison, L. M. (2013). Advancing social justice: Tools, pedagogies, and strategies to transform your campus. Jossey-Bass.

Denzin, N. K., Lincoln, Y. S., Giardina, M. D. (2006). Disciplining qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 19(6), 769–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/09518390600975990

Dewey, J. (1938). Logic: The theory of inquiry. Read Books Ltd.

Dixon, T. (2022a). Personal reflection I. [Unpublished vignette]. Doctor of Education. School of Education. Webster University.

Dixon, T. (2022b). Personal reflection II. [Unpublished vignette]. Doctor of Education. School of Education. Webster University.

Du Bois, W. E. B. (1998). The souls of black folk: And related readings. McDougal Littell Inc.

Dubnewick, M., Clandinin, D. J., Lessard, S., & McHugh, T. L. (2018). The centrality of reflexivity through narrative beginnings: Towards living reconciliation. Qualitative Inquiry, 24(6), 413–420. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800417727762

Haynes, K. (2012). Reflexivity in qualitative research. In G. Symon, & C. Cassell (Eds.), Qualitative organizational research: Core methods and current challenges (pp. 72-89). Sage Publications

Humphreys, M. (2005). Getting personal: Reflexivity and autoethnographic vignettes. Qualitative Inquiry, 11(6), 840–860. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800404269425

Kinloch, V. (2022, October 12). Who will join this? [CPED 2022 Convening Opening Speech]. CPED 2022 Convening. Pittsburgh, PA, United States.

Lakoff, G. (2004). Don’t think of an elephant. Chelsea Green Publishing Company.

Lee-Johnson, Y. L. (2023). Whitewashedness in teacher education: Intertextuality between colorblindness and the Ferguson Event. Urban Education, 58(3), 518–546. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085919857803

Lincoln, Y.S. & Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.

Meier, A. (1963). Negro thought in America 1880-1915. The University of Michigan Press.

Milner, H. R., IV. (2007). Race, culture, and researcher positionality: Working through dangers seen, unseen, and unforeseen. Educational Researcher, 36(7), 388–400. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X07309471

Milner, H. R., IV. (2022). Interrogating consequential education research in pursuit of truth. American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2023 Annual Meeting Presidential Program Theme. https://www.aera.net/Portals/38/AERA%202023%20AM%20Program%20Theme.pdf

Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S. J. (2018). Epistemic freedom in Africa: Deprovincialization and decolonization. Routledge.

O’Connor, K. (2022). Dissertation prospectus [Unpublished manuscript]. Doctor of Education. School of Education. Webster University.

Pasque, P. A., Patton, L. D., Gayles, J. G., Gooden, M. A., Henfield, M. S., Milner, H. R., Peters, A., & Stewart, D. L. (2021). Unapologetic educational research: Addressing anti-blackness, racism, and white supremacy. Cultural Studies ↔ Critical Methodologies, 22(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/15327086211060451

Scheurich, J. J., & Young, M. D. (1997). Coloring epistemologies: Are our research epistemologies racially biased? Educational Researcher, 26(4), 4–16. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189x026004004

Schwandt, T. A. (2015). The SAGE dictionary of qualitative inquiry. Sage.

Solorzano, D. G., and Yosso, T. J. (2002). Critical race methodology: Counter-storytelling as an analytical framework for educational research. Qualitative Inquiry, 8(1), 23–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/107780040200800103

Stanfield, J. H., II. (1993). Epistemological considerations. In J. H. Stanfield II & R. M. Dennis (Eds.), Race and ethnicity in research methods (pp.16-36). Sage.

Strunk, K. K. & Locke, L. A. (eds.) (2019). Research methods for social justice and equity in education. Palgrave Macmillan. The Florida Senate. (2023, July 1). HB 999: Public Postsecondary Educational Institutions. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/999/?Tab=BillText

Tomar, B. (2014). Axiology in teacher education: Implementation and challenges. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education, 4(2), 51–54. https://doi.org/10.9790/7388-04235154

Valandra, V. (2012). Reflexivity and professional use of self in research: A doctoral student’s journey. Journal of Ethnographic and Qualitative Research, 6, 204–220.

Webster University Website (n.d.). Global. Innovative. Diverse. https://www.webster.edu

Webster University EdD Program Website (n.d.). Doctor of Education (EdD) https://www.webster.edu/education/academics/doctor-of-education.php

Webster University EdD Google Site (n.d.) Doctor of Education (EdD) https://sites.google.com/view/eddwebster

Woodley, H., & Smith, L. M. (2020). Paradigmatic shifts in doctoral research: reflections using uncomfortable reflexivity and pragmatism. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920907533

Yancy, G. (2004). What White looks like: African-American philosophers on the whiteness question. Routledge.

Downloads

Published

2023-09-05

How to Cite

Lee-Johnson, Y. L., Fair, K., O’Connor, K., Rodney, T., Ono, J., & Dixon, T. (2023). Reflexivity for Restorying the Ontological and Epistemological Truths in Qualitative Research. Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 8(4), 43–49. https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2023.339

Issue

Section

Themed-Reimagining Research Methods Coursework for the Preparation of Scholar-Practitioners