Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language: a handbook for Supervisors

5.2.2 Role of the Researcher
Explicit reflection
Feminists strongly argue that methodologies that 
on discussion of
disempower women in the research process should 
the role of the
be contested. Some of the power-based considera-
researcher, tions 
are the researcher’s role, the social 
influenced by
significance of the researcher’s gender, the validity 
feminist
of research, which does not have emancipation of 
methodologies
women as a starting point, and the use of 
creativity in the research method (Jarvie and 
McGuire, 1994:164). The latter two 
considerations have been discussed in the previous 
section; this section will address issues relating to 
the gender and role of the researcher.
‘The researcher’ 
The relationship between the researcher and the 
referred to 
research participants is critical in qualitative
impersonally and 
methodology, particularly in interview situations.
generically as 
One of the main strengths of this form of
‘typical’ 
information gathering is its capacity to avoid the 
qualitative 
creation of a negative power relationship between 
researcher. Note
the researcher and participant. However, inequali-
use of substantial
ties of class, age, ethnicity, and sexual preference 
justification via
may all influence interview dynamics  and thus
the literature to
the outcomes (see Cotterill, 1992; England, 
persuade reader 
1994) and therefore need careful consideration in
of the validity of
the research design and implementation. Another 
the writer’s 
aspect to negotiate is the researcher’s capacity to 
choice of research 
accept and respect the interview participants’
design and 
views, even if these are radically different or
research strategies
opposite to those held by the researcher. Even 
when the opinion of a study participant is 
disconcerting or discomforting for the researcher 
the researcher must respect the right of the 
interviewee to express such perspectives and must
take such views into consideration (Cotterill, 1992).
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Writing the Methodology chapter