Value judgments are problematic to producing accurate, empirical research. Although value judgments may be easy to write about, and even may be based in our own general assumptions about the subjects, it’s imperative to avoid them so as to refrain from bias. If, indeed, value judgments are present in one’s field notes, the transcriptions are flawed and do not reflect the nature of the observations, themselves. The goals of fieldwork are to be an unaffective observer in the field setting, and an accurate scribe when writing out the research notes. In order to fulfill both, one should abstain from value judgments entirely so as to maintain the integrity of what you observed, rather than implementing the presumptions and judgments of the researcher.
Value judgments can be avoided through a variety of ways, but the most basic would be through self-awareness. By being vigilant and self-critical of one’s own writings, simple assumptions and value judgments can be picked out, and an empirical research paper will be created. Another means by which to avoid value judgments is by merely recording observations. By avoiding words such as “working”, the researcher can replace this type of over-simplification with a more descriptive analysis of the activity (i.e. The student grabbed his pen and began writing down his answers. A bead of sweat dropped down his brow as he began writing more quickly.) Thus, by avoiding value judgments, one can avoid unnecessary bias, and through self-awareness and choice of words, researchers can produce fine field work notes and analyze what they observe instead of abstracting it.
With regard to field note creation value judgements are problematic because it gives way to inaccuracy to what happened during an observation as well as judging those who are being observed. Value judgement can lead readers into thinking what it said is to be true when indeed it is the observer who may be stereotyping or labeling those being observed. This is a big problem in society today since word of mouth or what one says can be passed on and therefore changed along the way and in the end it may not be what was originally said or written. If the observer quoted someone incorrectly or added their own assumptions to a certain situation, this person may be judged and labeled by the reader.
Valued judgment can be avoided many ways. For example if the observer was unsure what a person said they should indicate that it is not accurate before trying to quote the person, this way the reader can assume that the observer is not making any assumptions and is only saying what is relevant to the situation. Being aware of what they are writing (accuracy on details) as well as keeping in mind who will be reading their piece is the most important way to avoid such problems.
Value judgments are problematic to producing accurate, empirical research. Although value judgments may be easy to write about, and even may be based in our own general assumptions about the subjects, it’s imperative to avoid them so as to refrain from bias. If, indeed, value judgments are present in one’s field notes, the transcriptions are flawed and do not reflect the nature of the observations, themselves. The goals of fieldwork are to be an unaffective observer in the field setting, and an accurate scribe when writing out the research notes. In order to fulfill both, one should abstain from value judgments entirely so as to maintain the integrity of what you observed, rather than implementing the presumptions and judgments of the researcher.
ReplyDeleteValue judgments can be avoided through a variety of ways, but the most basic would be through self-awareness. By being vigilant and self-critical of one’s own writings, simple assumptions and value judgments can be picked out, and an empirical research paper will be created. Another means by which to avoid value judgments is by merely recording observations. By avoiding words such as “working”, the researcher can replace this type of over-simplification with a more descriptive analysis of the activity (i.e. The student grabbed his pen and began writing down his answers. A bead of sweat dropped down his brow as he began writing more quickly.) Thus, by avoiding value judgments, one can avoid unnecessary bias, and through self-awareness and choice of words, researchers can produce fine field work notes and analyze what they observe instead of abstracting it.
Tuyet Truong
ReplyDeleteWith regard to field note creation value judgements are problematic because it gives way to inaccuracy to what happened during an observation as well as judging those who are being observed. Value judgement can lead readers into thinking what it said is to be true when indeed it is the observer who may be stereotyping or labeling those being observed. This is a big problem in society today since word of mouth or what one says can be passed on and therefore changed along the way and in the end it may not be what was originally said or written. If the observer quoted someone incorrectly or added their own assumptions to a certain situation, this person may be judged and labeled by the reader.
Valued judgment can be avoided many ways. For example if the observer was unsure what a person said they should indicate that it is not accurate before trying to quote the person, this way the reader can assume that the observer is not making any assumptions and is only saying what is relevant to the situation. Being aware of what they are writing (accuracy on details) as well as keeping in mind who will be reading their piece is the most important way to avoid such problems.
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