Silences, Neglected Feelings, and Blind-Spots in Research Practice

This book discusses the challenges of silences, neglected feelings, and blind-spots in social research, and offers insights for enhancing research practices. It appeals to scholars across the social sciences with interests in research methods and methodology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into profound and intricate dilemmas that social researchers encounter due to silences, overlooked emotions, and blind spots in their research endeavors. While conducting research, researchers often tend to overlook or disregard certain thoughts, intuitions, biases, feelings, or sensations in their pursuit of understanding the complexities of the material and identifying the central issue. Although researchers may acknowledge their own emotional responses during interviews, these emotions are typically documented only in field notes. Rarely do feelings of shock, irritation, boredom, or even amusement, excitement, and delight find their way into the analysis itself. Furthermore, researchers are susceptible to blind spots, often unaware of what is being avoided or omitted in their research. However, reflecting on these gaps or silences can be crucial for generating new and exciting research questions as well as developing comprehensive, responsive, and responsible research practices.

In this volume, an international and interdisciplinary group of researchers critically examines the silences, neglected feelings, and blind spots in their own work, providing valuable insights for improving research practices. This book appeals to scholars across the social sciences who have interests in research methods and methodology.

Silences in research can manifest in various ways, such as the absence of certain voices or perspectives, the neglect of certain topics or issues, or the failure to acknowledge the impact of power dynamics on research processes. Neglected feelings in research can include feelings of discomfort, frustration, or disinterest that researchers may experience during the research process, but which they may not fully acknowledge or address. Blind spots in research can occur when researchers are unaware of their own biases, assumptions, or preconceptions, which can lead to biased interpretations of data or incomplete understanding of the research context.

To address these dilemmas, researchers can adopt a variety of strategies. One approach is to engage in reflexive practice, which involves reflecting on the research process, including one's own biases, assumptions, and emotions. This can help researchers become more aware of their own limitations and biases, and develop strategies for mitigating them. Another approach is to seek out diverse perspectives and voices, both within and outside of the research community, to ensure that a broader range of experiences and perspectives are considered in the research. This can involve conducting interviews with a range of individuals, including those who may be marginalized or underrepresented, or engaging in collaborative research projects with researchers from different disciplines.

In addition to these strategies, researchers can also consider the ethical implications of their research. This can involve ensuring that participants in the research are treated with respect and dignity, and that their privacy and confidentiality are protected. It can also involve considering the broader social and cultural implications of the research, and working to promote social justice and equity.

Overall, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of social research by exploring the silences, neglected feelings, and blind spots that can arise in the research process. By engaging in critical reflection and adopting innovative research practices, social researchers can enhance the quality and impact of their work, and contribute to a more informed and equitable society.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032077338