Article Review: Positionality

​One of the most notable issues in Langan and Morton’s research was their positionality and the absence of identifying their positionality at the start of their research.  Wamba uses Maher and Tethreault’s (2001) definition of positionality, which “is the idea of people not being defined in terms of fixed identities, but rather by their location within shifting networks of relationships that can be analyzed and changed” (Wamba 2017).  Ultimately by not clearly stating their positionality at the beginning of the research to themselves and to the stakeholders, Langan and Morton jeopardized their whole research project.  As a budding researcher, Langan and Morton’s calamitous research story heeds as a warning.  It is clear that identifying one’s own positionality is essential to the research process.  Wamba writes “Action researchers concern themselves with positionality because it helps them reflect on trustworthiness, research ethics, solidarity around issues, and motivation into action” (Wamba 2017).  By reflecting on my positionality during action research, I will be cognizant of the reasons for the actions I take and opinions I form.  
 
Works Cited:
Langan, D., & Morton, M. (2009). Reflecting on community/academic ‘collaboration’: The challenge of ‘doing’ feminist participatory action research. [Article]. Action Research, 7(2), 165-184. doi: 10.1177/1476750309103261
 
Wamba, N. (2017). Inside the Outside: Reflections on a Researcher’s Positionality/Multiple “I’s”. In L. L. Rowell, C. D. Bruce, J. M. Shosh, & M. M. Riel (Eds.), The Palgrave International Handbook of Action Research (pp. 613-626). New York: Palgrave Macmillan US