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To clarify and deliberate about the problems and risks we face and to outline how things may be done differently, in full knowledge that we cannot find ultimate answers to these questions, or even a single version of what the questions are (Flyvbjerg, 2001, pg. 140). This quote made me reflect on my research and the questions I will be asking my participants.  I hope my research does answer questions and create new questions that will help research involving Black women moving forward. 

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To clarify and deliberate about the problems and risks we face and to outline how things may be done differently, in full knowledge that we cannot find ultimate answers to these questions, or even a single version of what the questions are (Flyvbjerg, 2001, pg. 140). This quote made me reflect on my research and the questions I will be asking my participants.  I hope my research does answer questions and create new questions that will help research involving Black women moving forward. 

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Aja

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In qualitative methods, we often speak of emic understandings of the In qualitative methods, in which researchers pay close attention to external criteria or theories that have already been derived and are not specific to a given culture.

Those adopting an emic approach tend to use inductive reasoning, researchers (1) begin with observing specific interactions; (2) conceptualize general concepts in the field); and (4) draw conclusions that build theory or create the field);

Question: Perhaps through my research, I can gain a broad understanding of dictatorship and then narrow my focus to the school, the classroom, and the teacher's implementation of the curriculum.

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Not a question, just a reminder about topics I’ve learned about and continue to use. In my masters program, learning the funnel metaphor from my mentor was one of the most useful concepts I was taught & is since something I’ve continued to teach to my students.

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When considering a qualitative topic, use the ROC test.

Is it Researchable?

Is it Original?

It is Contributory?

Tracy points out that just because a gap in the knowledge is present it does not automatically mean someone should try to fill it in. There may be good reasons why nobody has yet studied it.

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1.    Examples of Privilege

o   McIntosh lists concrete ways white privilege shows up (e.g., being able to move through neighborhoods without harassment, seeing people of one’s race widely represented in media, not being asked to speak for one’s entire race, finding bandages that match skin tone).

o   She pairs this with recognition of male privilege—such as men’s voices being taken more seriously or their professional competence not being questioned.

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I have previously read this article, but appreciated reading it again. It is in the definition of privilege, but when trying to balance the day-to-day of everything, I often forget to have time to just reflect on my place in the bigger world. Rather than think about just myself, I have found myself shifting focus now, as a mom, to think about my duty in raising a 6-year-old boy to understand his privileges and "unlearn" toxic masculinity.

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The term "qualitative methods" (with an L in the middle of the word) refers to a suite of research techniques that include interviews (group or one-on-one), participant observation (in-person or online), arts-based approaches, and/or textual analysis.

Interpretation: there are many, diverse ways to research a question, a combination is ideal, but must be sure to conduct research ethically and be precise as possible.

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This really made me reflect on unearned privileges I benefit from but also privileges I have achieved (higher education) that might create a disconnect with the community and people I grew up with

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Self reflective intersectionality is a trait we’d all like to have as researchers, but some may lack. Understanding intersections and how they overlap can be learned in order to create specific privileges and experiences.

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Say:  Pages 28 and 29 talk about using a phronetic approach

·      Mean/Matter: I really appreciate this method because I value talking about context and fully understanding the context of a situation before jumping to judgment or response. I also appreciate the piece about making emotion an ally of reason, since oftentimes the two are pitted against each other. I want to practice how to do this more within research.

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“Who gains and who loses”

I never thought about this question as a potential researcher, generally speaking we might have good intentions, but are we really helping the population we are trying to study?

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I appreciate the article connecting with the book's reading.

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I appreciated this chapter as it expounded on PIQDA. I appreciate how this research is grounded in critical thinking and perception while understanding the vital role that emotions play in moving research forward and reaching conclusions.

I think my research will utilize a combination of structuration theory and sensemaking with grounding in abductive reasoning.

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Major premise of qualitative work = “One cannot not perform or communicate”. Everybody interacts, and those interactions can be studied.

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Men may acknowledge women’s disadvantages but rarely admit the unearned advantages they have over women.

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“The best way to learn about qualitative research is by actually practicing it” (p.12)

- This resonated with me because this is how I stumbled into my dissertation/research topic. I was noticing that there were increasing instances of roommate conflicts that had added layers of challenges because of a student identifying as “neurodiverse.” In looking for ways to best support them, most of the research I found was about accommodations in the classroom and not supporting students living on campus or with co-curricular experiences on college campuses.

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phonetic iterative qualitative data analysis

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phonetic iterative qualitative data analysis

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Where do I start my project?

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I don’t disagree with the unearned privilege of men being the reason for male over-reward, but I wonder how McIntosh would factor in our buttressing of hegemonic masculine traits as well (i.e., power accrual, dominance, greed).

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discourse vs Discourse

Small scale, everyday contextualized behaviors vs larger-level structures

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Angelica:

I have the unearned privilege of having been born in the United States. I am choosing to write about this privilege because it is one that I can rightfully and readily acknowledge, yet it is also one that I grapple with. I am challenged with feelings of ambivalence toward this privilege as my sentiments around it are both positive and negative. Given my ancestral origins and the history of how Black people were brought to this country via the Transatlantic slave trade, the privilege of being American is one that is shrouded in the pain of knowing such history, but, also, much gratitude for the rights and privileges it affords me.

I try to understand such a person’s lived experiences by practicing empathy, and imagining myself in that person’s shoes. It is important to be knowledgeable not just about what directly affects you, but also to understand the injustices experienced by others. This knowledge comes from direct interaction, actively listening, and demonstrating open-mindedness in attempting to understand others’ experiences when they differ from one’s own. Moreover, recognizing that as part of our shared humanity, people have the same fundamental, basic human needs (i.e. food, water, shelter, etc.) is an important steppingstone to dismantling the unjust systems that perpetuate the oppression of others simply on the basis of their differences.

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Qualitative research methods are crucial for prompting empathy with end-users and for noticing when current systems or products are dysfunctional (Sam Ladner, 2014). As someone who will be using the qualitative method as their research method, this is why I prefer this approach over the quantitative method. Yes, you can get to your answer faster with the quantitative method, but I prefer research that has a more personable approach and sees the participant as more than just data. 

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Qualitative research methods are crucial for prompting empathy with end-users and for noticing when current systems or products are dysfunctional (Sam Ladner, 2014). As someone who will be using the qualitative method as their research method, this is why I prefer this approach over the quantitative method. Yes, you can get to your answer faster with the quantitative method, but I prefer research that has a more personable approach and sees the participant as more than just data. 

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Aja

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The emphasis on the active ‘denial’ as an active component of both the identity and subject-formation in white racial formation should not go understated.

Reading this text makes me think of the ‘blue-eyes, brown-eyes’ experiments that Jane Elliot would run, but from a more introspective disposition.

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How can our upbringings create a potential disconnect/ discomfort as a Qual researcher?

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p.29 – “use-inspired” – I really like this phrase because it carries a lot of different approaches to understanding meaning-making.

p. 28-29 – It is fascinating to see how PIQDA operates as a seemingly emergent concept in the field. Most, if not all, of the citations are from articles or books written in the mid 2010’s which levels a substantial difference in understanding how qualitative research was represented otherwise earlier.

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Privilege comes in many forms.

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“Given the importance of language, symbolic interactionists claim that knowing is directly connected to the capacity for naming.” (p. 37)

- Begs the question if something is unknowable can we name it?

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I struggled with this assignment due to my place in society where I have no privilege simply based on my race. 

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I struggled with this assignment due to my place in society where I have no privilege simply based on my race. 

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Aja

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This matters to me because, as a Mexican American woman, I often reflect on both the disadvantages I face and the privileges I hold. For example, my citizenship privilege allows me to study, travel, and work without fear of deportation, opportunities that many in my own community do not share. McIntosh pushes me not only to acknowledge inequality, but also to take responsibility for the privileges I hold.

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“Social action is always changing: therefore, contextual explanations and situated meanings are integral to ongoing sensemaking" (p. 29).

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Angelica:

“The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house?” – What about in the case of falling empires? For example, what we are seeing now in our society and from our government concerning the instability of capitalism and the ramifications of racism allude to the potential downfall of America as a world superpower. But, capitalism and racism are the, “master’s tools.” This country was built on them.

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“The appearance of being a good citizen rather than a troublemaker comes in large part from having all sorts of doors open automatically because of my color.” Similar to how students of color have been shown to have comparatively harsher consequences than white peers for similar behaviors (also prison/criminal justice system).

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Tim - An interesting moment in research comparison

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Tim - An interesting moment in research comparison

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p.4 “Ethnographers construct meaning through immersion in a holistic context … in direct contrast to some scientific research… so that findings can be replicated”

--Begs an interesting question, “Why is the same value of repetition not also applied to qualitative research?

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I was very intrigued by the concept of the looking-glass self. I am curious how our reactions to interview participants can impact how our participants begin to view themselves. Could we skew participant responses based on our reactions.

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a person looking at themselves in the mirror

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This matters because, as I work toward my dissertation, I realize that I am not just writing for myself. I am writing in a field of scholarship that has the power to influence policy, practice, and how HSIs are understood. Engaging the literature allows me to position myself and also advocate for communities that are often unheard.

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I appreciate how Tracy frames what is often referred to as baggage (deficit thinking) as  “accumulated wisdom” (asset thinking). We're encouraged to use what tools we have available to us instead of shunning them.

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This matters to me as a first-generation college student and researcher because I want to highlight the voices of Mexican American students at HSIs. Numbers about retention and graduation rates matter, but they don’t tell the whole story. Qualitative methods give me tools to explore mentorship, belonging, and resilience in ways that numbers cannot.

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McIntosh (1988) - White Privilege and Male Privilege

Key Takeaways

I understand that McIntosh frames privilege not just as “advantage,” but as an invisible system that confers dominance. This helped me recognize that privilege is structural, not individual.

I understand that privilege operates in ways that are often unseen by those who hold it. McIntosh’s metaphor of the “invisible knapsack” made clear how normalized and unacknowledged these daily advantages can be.

I understand that privilege harms both the marginalized and the privileged

I understand that while some privileges (like expecting safety from harassment) should be universal entitlements, others (like cultural permission to ignore oppressed voices) reinforce inequality and should be dismantled.

I understand that privilege does not occur in a vacuum; it is inherently intersectional.

Tools/Quotes to Keep in Mind

“White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, assurances, tools, maps, guides, codebooks, passports, visas, clothes, compass, emergency gear, and blank checks” (p. 2).

Powerful metaphor for daily, unearned advantages.

“Privilege may confer power, but it does not confer moral strength” (p. 9).

Important reminder that dominance DOES  NOT imply virtue.

McIntosh’s insistence on self-reflection: “Having described it, what will I do to lessen or end it?” (p. 3).

Directly challenges me to connect awareness to action in my own work.

SELF-REFLEXIVITY

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"You might be surprised to discover that you engage in research everyday" (p. 2)

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Tracy (2025) - Ch. 2 Entering the conversation of qualitative research

Key Takeaways

I understand that qualitative research seeks to understand the “whole” by observing different contexts that all inform each other to paint a more holistic understanding

I understand that qualitative research does not happen in a vacuum. Different methods, theories, and concepts can be used at the same time to best suit a study.

I understand the importance of thick description to move beyond surface-level understandings of a phenomenon. I consider this to be a response to the popular claim, “it’s not that deep.” It IS that deep.

I understand that qualitative research often employs people’s understanding of themselves, their surroundings, their environments, their communities, etc.

How a person reacts to something

How they perceive their reactions

How their reactions are shaped by expectations

I understand that research has not always been ethical and that it is important to understand that research can easily be manipulated to be weaponized against vulnerable communities.

Tools/Quotes to Keep in Mind

Structuration Theory (Giddens, 1984)

Society is constituted of people’s micro-practices

Reminded me of Pedagogy of the Oppressed

While the oppressor keeps the oppressed stifled, the oppressed must work to not aspire to be like the oppressor so they do not recreate the systems in which they are targeted (Freire, 2018)

Sensemaking Theory (Weicks, 1979)

I had trouble understanding this theory

Sensemaking theory helps qualitative researchers understand how people interpret and construct meaning in ambiguous or complex situations?

Phronetic Research

I enjoyed the points that encompass a “wise person,” especially point 5

“Knows how to make emotion an ally of reason - to rely on emotion to signal what a situation calls for and to inform judgment without distorting it,” (Schwartz & Sharpe, 2010, pp. 25-26).

This really dismantles the assumption that research should not be emotional

Emotions make research powerful, when appropriate

Symbolic Interactionism

Might be relevant to my work in trying to understand how settler-colonial curriculum impacts students perceptions of themselves and others

Abduction

Gestalt

I liked this one a lot. Reminded me of systems-thinking (Meadows, 2008).

Bricolage

Colonialism & Ethnocentrism

My research deals extensively with this, especially in regard to curriculum manipulation

Post-Qualitative Methods

This is a new concept to me and I’m excited to learn more about this

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"I have come to see white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets that I can count on  cashing in each day, but about which I was "meant" to remain oblivious."

Loved her vulnerability, honesty and desire for accountability in her assessment of her white privilege.

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Tracy (2025) - Ch. 1 Impact &  Power of Qual Methods

Key Takeaways

I understand that Qualitative Methods are a tool of inquiry and investigation that require the researcher to, “immerse oneself in and trying to make sense of a phenomenon,” (Tracy, 2025, p. 4)

As opposed to QuaNTitative Methods, QuaLitative researchers cannot separate themselves from the study because they are the research tool.

I understand the importance of self-reflexivity as a Qualitative researcher, considering how easily bias and privilege may skew/manipulate the research.

I understand that the skills of Qualitative researchers are flexible and can be applied to many different fields outside of academia.

Tools/Quotes to Keep in Mind

Questions to consider when picking research approach

“What types of methods are best suited for the goals of your research project?” (Tracy, 2025, p. 6).

Which methods are you most equipped to use, or most attracted to?” (Tracy, 2025, p. 6).

“Your interest in the project must rise above and propel you through moments of frustration, difficulty, and tedium,” (Tracy, 2025, p. 16).

“Finally, when thinking about a topic and scene, I recommend that you seek advice. Other students have leads. Professors, employers, or colleagues can provide a fresh viewpoint on a project’s advantages and disadvantages,” (Tracy, 2025, p. 17).

Highlights the importance of community in academic work

Types of research questions

Descriptive

“Asking what is going on”

Interpretive

“Attempting to make sense of the meaning of the data”

Critical

‘What should be done”

Theoretical

“Explaining why’

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Tracy argues that the end goal of Qualitative research is understanding (or sensemaking). My question is does all research lead to understanding? Is understanding intrinsic to learning? Have some thoughts about this from a queered/genderqueered perspective.

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Angelica:

·       “Qualitative research is a method for not only quenching one’s curiosity, but also resulting in explanations that could lead to social justice and transformation” (p. 7).

o   AR NOTE: This is perhaps my favorite quote from the article. When I read this, I think of the important role that qualitative research plays in counterstorytelling. Counterstorytelling empowers individuals and groups, especially members of marginalized communities, to retake control of the narratives of their lived experiences.

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This chapter was a great overview of what qualitative research is and how it is used unconsciously and consciously in the daily lives of the average person, the professional, and the researcher. This chapter helped me see how my potential research fits in the larger realm of qualitative research and gave me deeper insight into my research question.

I am considering studying the impact of generational context on college and career choices of Korean American females. As I read the chapter I realized that an interesting question would be to consider how Asian females may have pushed Asian males to be the highest paid demographic in the US.