Standpoints are Important

My first methodology chapter draft was received with mostly positive comments from my supervisors, which was good for the confidence and ego. However (and it was something I admitted to, before going into the meeting), my 'standpoint' in the research was lacking, and is where I am at presently, while I edit my chapter.

The whole 'methodology' thing seems to be a bit of a grey area to many students. For instance, it became apparent to me at least that many people get methodology and method confused, insofar as to say that they think that the method is the methodology. Methodology is in fact the theoretical lens or framework through which the research is designed and conducted, while the method is the technique used to gather and analyse data. Bit of a difference there!

But wait, there's more! The methodology is in fact comprised of the standpoint, theoretical framework and the method. The latter two are easily sorted, and I needn't worry about them here. The standpoint however, is problematic - at least for someone like me, who is for the first time, expressing it.

I have a research methods textbook written by Walter (2011), and in it she writes:

"Our standpoint is the most important aspect in defining our methodology, because it influences all other components. But it is also an aspect that in most social research is poorly addressed. Our standpoint is basically our own position, who we are and how we see ourselves in relation to others and in relation to society...How we see the world is not a neutral, objective understanding, but is inevitably influenced by the filters and frames of our life experiences and circumstances and our social, cultural economic and personal identity location." (Walter 2011: 13).

But wait, it gets more involved - Walter argues that the standpoint is broken down into three parts, epistemology; axiology and ontology. These are the theory of knowledge, ways of knowing; the theory of values; and and the theories of the nature of being - what constitutes reality.

What does this mean? It's pretty heavy stuff is what it means. I have about 2-3 weeks to come to grips with it. It seems like it can't be as easy as saying "this is me, this is what shapes my worldview, this is how those factors will influence the way I view the research". I'd be interested in getting some feedback from people that have (hypothetically) covered this stuff.

Til next week...

References

Walter M 2011, 'The Nature of Social Science Research' in M Walter (ed.), Social Research Methods, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, pp. 13-30.

Reflection

It's been several weeks since I officially started this honours thesis, so I thought now would be a good time to reflect on where I've come from, and where I'm headed. Admittedly, finding topics to write about is a chore, considering the amount of writing that is done in a thesis, but that is neither here nor there.

I started this thesis off thinking I was just going to talk about a new and interesting intimate practice. Tumblr, as an SNS, has received scant empirical attention to date, and I saw an opportunity to add to the pool of knowledge. It's interesting to note, at least to me, that this basic idea has of course changed since. I say 'of course', because anyone who has done an honours thesis before will tell you that what you intend to start off with is never what you end up with.

I admit, that my supervisors have influenced the direction I have taken so far. I have trusted in their knowledge and foresight, but there are times when I wonder, as I am sure you may have too, if is possible to sacrifice too much of your own desires or interests in the 'process' or 'game' that is academic supervision. I have an idea brewing in my brain-meat at the moment, that I have as yet to discuss with my supervisors, though I will get the opportunity this week. I don't want to jinx or hype anything, but if I am right, I may have discovered a new line or way of conceptualising intimacy, at least online intimacy.

Speaking of, have you ever had a research idea, and searched for something, and found nothing? Does this mean that you really could have a new idea? There have been a few occasions now when I've searched for literature arguing a certain angle, and found nothing. Of course, it's more likely that my searching-method needs refining, but it's interesting to think about. Perhaps it's a lack of confidence (which I am sure will improve over time), but surely a lowly postgrad student is unlikely to develop something definitive?

I also wonder who reads this blog. So far, several hundred people have read what meagre offerings I have presented (this could be largely due to my parents visiting often, keeping abreast of my activity). I am of course hesitant to make too many claims or divulge too much information at this stage (mostly because what I have still seems formative, but also because I worry that what I have brewing might in fact be new, and interesting - and I don't want someone to take away from my hard work). Are these the thoughts of a paranoid mind? I hope not! I wonder if these concerns could be termed "First world postgrad problems"....

As usual, here's an image from google to conclude.

Stupidity, Acceptance and Determination

Not much has progressed in the last week. I submitted the first draft of my literature review to my supervisors, with mixed results. One one hand, they appreciated my delineation of the literature, but I neglected my own 'voice' too much, and subsequently have to go back and 'silence the cacophony', so to speak. TL;DR - Need to voice my own thoughts more rather than stand on the shoulders of giants.

It's hard, man. In the bachelors degree, you don't get taught to any great extent how to think critically, or express your own thought as much...Perhaps I'm wording that incorrectly...You aren't taught or prepared to think at a postgraduate level, which means that when you do get to that stage, you're dropped in the deep end. Some people thrive on pressure, and while I do work well under the hammer (I think, at least), I couldn't help but wonder - am I 'cut out' for research (See image above for an accurate depiction of my face as I left my supervisory meeting)?

As it stands, I'm currently rewriting the parts of my chapter that let me down, namely my introduction paragraph (done), and the 'toning down' of my citations. I'm reading The Transformation of Intimacy (1992) and Liquid Love (2003) again. I need to figure out how to overcome my self-doubt and confidently critique these writings (I still feel like I am a lowly undergrad with no right to an opinion, which isn't doing me any favours).

I guess for me, the problem is never going to be a 'writing block' or lack of inspiration. For me, it's a lack of motivation that is psychologically based on my low sense of self-worth. I'm unsure if my other classmates suffer from the same lack of confidence (I can think of two girls in particular that rock at what they do, and would be surprised to think they feel otherwise), but perhaps I can bring this up in class on Monday. I can't be the only fresh-faced honours student filled with doubt in the formative stages of their thesis?

Oh well, I just need to keep on writing, nothing will get done by procrastinating. More to come on my progress when there's actually progress to comment upon.



References

Bauman, Z 2003, Liquid Love: On the Frailty of Human Bonds, Polity Press, UK.

Giddens, A 1992, The Transformation Of Intimacy: Sexuality, Love and Eroticism in Modern Societies, Polity Press, UK