Importance of research impartiality

Ethnography Experience
The author of this brief reflection has been asked to reflect on a recent assignment, how it went, how it was structured and so forth. To be specific, there was an ethnographic interview and observation and the author is to reflect on the structure and experiences that came along the way as part of that process. The resources that were present as part of the process will also inform what is said, why it is said and so forth. What happened during the Final Immersion Project experience was very useful and there is a lot to be said about it. While there are so many directions that the author could take when it comes to the experiences that were had, there are some in particular that could and should be aid.
Body
If there is one thing that the author learned about the process of ethnography and its associated subjects, it would be how important it is to remain detached and professional as part of the process. This is not to say that one’s own personal perspective and experiences are not important and that they could or should never be part of the perspective offered as part of these assignments and reports. However, allowing those personal experiences and perspectives to unnecessarily color and influence what else is being observed would be a mistake and that should obviously be avoided whenever possible. For example, when looking at the behaviors, thoughts and patterns of a particular group, it is important to look at what specifically influences them and why they do them. The context that should be assessed should be their own and what leads them specifically to do what they do. What cannot be allowed to happen is to think about things from one’s own perspective. The primary reason for this is that one’s own perspective almost certainly had nothing to do with why those people acted (or continue to act) the way that they do. Instead, there should be a focus on the antecedents and cultural aspects that do organically lead to what is observed as part of the ethnographic research.
For example, one of the research works that was read and studied as part of the class work up until now was about feminist theory and how it intersects and influences social work. For many people, feminist theory has a lot to do with the cultural trends and perspectives that exist. It could relate to a subject personally or it would be more detached in the form of a mother, an aunt or even a male relative that was influenced by the same. This would obviously stand in contrast to a situation or family where feminist ideology and influence is largely absent. In short, the degree to which feminist ideology and influence is present would then influence the behavior and thought patterns of the people being assessed. The influence may be in the form of them embracing the behavior and thoughts or they may reject and resist it. IT may also be a combination of the two (Archer, 2009; Floersch, Longhofer & Suskewicz, 2014). The importance of being detached and impartial is easily seen when looking at how ethnography translates into the social work field. Just like with other parts of life like religion and worldview in general, there is obviously going to be a personal set of values and beliefs and then there will be the beliefs of the clients and subjects that are being worked with. These must be kept separate and the people that are being served should not be preached to or coached beyond what is required by the law such as ensuring proper meals for children and things like that (Haight, Kayama & Korang-Okrah, 2014).
Conclusion
There is, of course, nothing wrong with having one’s own worldview and ideology. That ideology and worldview must be positive and based on reasonable conclusonis. However, everyone’s conclusions can be different and that is fine. However, those ideas and biases must be turned off as much as is possible when completing social work and research.
References
Archer, J. (2009). Intersecting Feminist Theory and Ethnography in the Context of Social Work Research. Qualitative Social Work: Research And Practice, 8(2), 143-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1473325009103372
Floersch, J., Longhofer, J., & Suskewicz, J. (2013). The use of ethnography in social work research. Qualitative Social Work: Research And Practice, 13(1), 3-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1473325013510985
Haight, W., Kayama, M., & Korang-Okrah, R. (2013). Ethnography in social work practice and
policy. Qualitative Social Work: Research And Practice, 13(1), 127-143.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1473325013507303