Qualitative research allows us to dig deeper and examine experiences, motivations, and in-depth insights into human behavior and social contexts. In open education, qualitative research is often used to explore how students or faculty perceive the value of either the resources or practices aligned with open. Reflexivity is a practice in qualitative research that helps researchers situate their relational awareness in an effort to critically engage with how they may be influencing the research process and findings. Similarly, a researcher’s positionality is informed by their own identities and epistemological worldviews. Both of these entities innately shape and impact what’s written into the canon; therefore, committing to embedding reflexive practices into our research is essential to better understand researcher motivations and value systems in knowledge production. Come join us to learn more about these concepts and how you can start to include them into your own research.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Explain reflexivity and positionality.
- Articulate the importance of researcher reflexivity and positionality in open education research.
- Identify opportunities to apply these concepts to their own work.
