Read on Twitter
A key research skill is knowing if you're the person who needs to undertake a study; recognising how you don't have to centre yourself in everything; appreciating others know way more than you; that you may not be suited to a study, and that your presence could be harmful https://twitter.com/AcademicChatter/status/1273255878213472262
"because it's interesting" has never been a good enough reason to start on a study that may represent curiosity or career-progression for you and lived trauma for others.
Also, if we want to help, another key research skill is reflecting first whether our help (in the way we're offering it) is remotely useful. If we still think it is, asking colleagues communities if we might assist comes next. Then take direction, don't assume you know best.
When I cover these ideas in research methods training some people react angrily. They've been taught that their job is to spot ideas that will advance them and/or their subject area. Never to think of those who might be more qualified, or how others may be impacted by their work
Ask yourself
- where do I fit within this area?
- what's the most useful role I can occupy?
- how can my skills best be used?
- should I be learning not leading?
- what harms could I cause?
- if proceed as planned who am I bringing in, or leaving out? https://twitter.com/DrPetra/status/1195464041596149762?s=20
- where do I fit within this area?
- what's the most useful role I can occupy?
- how can my skills best be used?
- should I be learning not leading?
- what harms could I cause?
- if proceed as planned who am I bringing in, or leaving out? https://twitter.com/DrPetra/status/1195464041596149762?s=20
Do not make the mistake of assuming if 'data' (as in people's lives, stories, pain and personal information) is out there in the public domain that you're free to harvest it to suit your own needs, or that this kind of analysis exists in an ethics-free zone.
Also note that analysing and reporting on stories, texts, images etc comes with specific ethical guidance, procedures, theories and practices. If you're not aware of this it's time to learn. Not least as they should teach you how to proceed appropriately (or step back)
There is a particular kind of arrogance that unfortunately comes from privilege + poor methods and ethics teaching that permits scholars to assume no matter how unskilled and unsuitable they are, they have every right to proceed with something they know little about.
