Black women and family experiences have for a long
time been told by outsiders and information being given out is distorted. Black
women researchers are calling out for black women and family experiences to be
for the black.
Few, Stephens and Rouse-Arnett (2003) have
identified that black women and families experiences have been misunderstood
when research is being conducted. The article looks at the challenges that
black women researcher’s face when doing research on sensitive issues on black
women and gives out solutions on how to conduct qualitative research on
experiences of black women and families. Sister to sister talk is like a forum
that brings black women together to share experiences that are related to life
of black women (p.205). Few et al argue that black women and family research
should be done by black women. Black women have been spoken for and its time
they speak for themselves, to bring out the correct interpretation of black
woman and family life experiences; by challenging the misinterpretations that
have been presented before influenced by whiteness (p.206). The qualitative
research done on black women and families, factors in issues of race, gender,
color, class, ethnicity when being conducted to give room to look at how
multiple issues are intertwined and affect black women (p.205). The research
looks at different forms of oppression and the linksTo incorporate activism in the research, researchers have recommended using action research for the informants to be part of the research process. This involves the informant being able to identify the problem; knowing what led to the experience and what factors contributed to it. The informant should also be empowered by recognizing the different dimensions of power and how it influences their experiences, that is personal power, interpersonal power and political power (p.206)
To be able to conduct effective research on black women, the researcher should be able to identify with the informant, by gaining an insider status and create an acceptable environment for the research to be carried out without information being withheld. For example the style of dressing, the language being used to be able to relate to the informant and factors related to privilege addressed on the side of the researcher. The researcher should be aware that to relate to the informer, their status would be challenged and checking can be done at times, so that the informer can get a comfort zone to share experiences on sensitive topics (pp.207&208). At times, researchers have to embrace the culture and social context the research is being carried under.
Way
forward for Black women Researchers
Few et al (2003) give out suggestions of carrying
out qualitative research on black women. The researcher should have a
background on the problem being addressed and understand the culture of the
informant. The researcher should fit into the context of the research. As a
researcher one should be accountable for the research being conducted, the data
being presented is a reflection of the black women on sensitive issues. The
researcher should not create a situation that is not safe for the black women
and family, but one that is going to have a positive impact on their lives. The
language being used in the research should not serve to silence black women but
give them the opportunity to share their experiences. In the research process
one can use multiple ways to get information by not subjecting the informant
into an emotional dilemma. This is done by researchers taking care of the
informants by offering additional resources; where they can seek help after the
interview to take care of painful memories of sensitive issues. The researcher
is not supposed to take on dual relationships during the research (pp.
210-212). Having dual relationships can sabotage the research.Reference
Few,
A. L., Stephens, D. P., & Rouse‐Arnett,
M. (2003). Sister‐to‐Sister Talk:
Transcending Boundaries and Challenges in Qualitative Research With Black
Women*. Family Relations, 52(3), 205-215.
For more information on the article Sister to Sister
talk visit: http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3700271?uid=3739736&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21102655944813
In “Sister to Sister Talk: Transcending Boundaries and Challenges in Qualitative Research with Black Women” by April Few, Dionne Stephens and Marl Rouse-Arnett I was really excited to learn about genograms used as a research tool. The authors explain the method by stating, “the geneogram may reveal severed relationships, family secrets, coalitions and alliances. It enables the informant and the researcher to explore previously hidden information and study family patterns of interaction and individual decision making processes concerning sensitive topics” (211). I had never heard of this method before and I was happy to see a visual of a genogram on page 212 to better understand what this method looks like in practice. After seeing the graphic, I believe this tool that would be excellent in showing different aspects of family dynamics that might be uncomfortable to the informant or reveal connections that might otherwise be written off as not relevant to the research. It also would help the informant to better self reflect on his or her own experiences within the family structure.
ReplyDeleteOne part of the article that raised questions for me occurred on page 207 when the Few, Stephens and Rouse-Arnett discussed how they dressed for interviews with African American women. The authors of the article state, “we consciously dressed according to the social locations of our informants to downplay possible differences in our social locations” (207). While the authors discuss throughout the paper that they identify as black women, I wonder how researchers of other ethnicities try to downplay differences in their social locations. Obviously white women dressing to fit into an African American subculture would be taken as cultural appropriation, which is stealing customs without understanding the historical or cultural connection. How do those of another ethnicity gain “trustworthy confidence” of a particular ethnicity? As a white researcher, can I ever gain insider status? I understand this article’s audience as discussed on page 205 is other black women scholars, but I would be interested to learn more about how to better interview informants when the researcher comes from a privilege race.
It was interesting to read the article “Sister to Sister Talk: Transcending Boundaries and Challenges in Qualitative Research with Black Women”. I like the way the authors shared recommendations for conducting ethical quantitative research. “Good qualitative feminist research must not only able to assist the researched in gathering accurate and useful data, but, more importantly, the researched must ensure that the informant is central in the researcher process” (207). I think research should not be limited to gathering information’s and provide recommendations. The successful researcher should consider informant as a part of research process because they are expressing their life experience and helping to add meaning to the research.
ReplyDeleteFew, Stephens and Rouse-Arnett stated “Displaying ignorance of history and culture can close doors closely when tackling sensitive topics with black women” (210). Knowledge of history helps to understand individuals and society. A researcher should have adequate information’s how the people of different culture act in their community. A researchers cannot ignore history and culture either they are researching with in same community or different. Specially, in sensitive topics researchers should have knowledge and educate themselves about culture, values, beliefs, traditions, and status. If the researchers ignore main factors they might not able to conduct the research in efficient way. Not only conducting research in sensitive topic, but also any research in different back ground the researcher should be educate themselves in regard of factors to be consider. The research should understand the background and insight, culture trends and possibilities. There is more possibility to not to get the best result if not considering and learning their culture.
I think the most interesting part of this article was the discussion about qualitative methods and follow-up interviews. On pages 206-207 the authors note that qualitative methods can be used to help “enrich empirical data”. This struck me as especially important because numbers and statistical measurements can only give researchers so much information about Black women, whereas qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews can help answer questions as to what the numbers mean and what the story is behind them. The authors suggested allowing the interviewees to read the transcript of the interviews once they are ready (pg. 207). This is a great idea because then the interviewees will feel more connected to the research process and they will be able to feel validated and involved.
ReplyDeleteI really wished the authors had gone more in-depth about how to use non-literal materials (quilts, music, and clothing) to “reflect Black female knowledge” (pg. 207). Although the authors note that sharing these materials can allow Black women to feel empowered, they did not really share how information obtained from these materials would be on par with information obtained from an interview. I do not doubt the usefulness of these non-literal materials, but I would just like to know more about how to use them for research purposes.