Toward Active Reflexivity: Positionality and Practice in the Production of Knowledge

Author ORCID Identifier

Aarie Glas:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7729-9755

Publication Title

PS - Political Science and Politics

ISSN

10490965

E-ISSN

43889

Document Type

Article

Abstract

How should scholars recognize and respond to the complexities of positionality during the research process? Although there has been much theorizing on the intersectional and context-dependent nature of positionality, there remains a disjuncture between how positionality is understood theoretically and how it is applied. Ignoring the dynamism of positionality in practice has implications for the research process. This article theorizes one means of recognizing and responding to positionality in practice: A posture of active reflexivity. It outlines how we can become actively reflexive by adopting a disposition toward both ongoing reflection about our own social location and ongoing reflection on our assumptions regarding others' perceptions. We then articulate four strategies for doing active reflexivity: recording assumptions around positionality; routinizing and systemizing reflexivity; bringing other actors into the process; and showing our work in the publication process.

First Page

527

Last Page

531

Publication Date

7-1-2020

DOI

10.1017/S1049096519002233

Department

Department of Political Science

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