Positioning is how the researcher responds to the data. Positioning comes in three different forms: fixed, subjective, and textual. Fixed positions are personal facts about the researcher that can affect how the researcher sees the data. It is important to realize these positions because they usually go unexamined which can lead to an unwanted subjectivity. Subjective positions are how one’s life experiences can affect the data. Sometimes new experiences can open one’s eyes to a new perspective on the data. Other times one’s experiences can shield new perspectives. The researcher needs to try to gain many different perspectives to combat this problem. Textual positions are the words and the way the researcher describes the field. This determines the researcher’s credibility.

Ralph takes a position of Valerio’s friend and mentor. This allows Valerio to be comfortable with Ralph so Ralph can ask questions. In addition, Ralph understands his fixed and subjective positions. He understands that there are two cultural forces impacting Valerio’s education and how Valerio does not have a disability. Valerio just has a hard time learning a second language. Because Ralph understands these things, he is able to look deeper into Valerio’s life and find the reasons why Valerio decorates his walls with certain posters and items. Its important that Ralph can sift through the data that is unimportant to find what is connected. However, Ralph does use his own perspective to help out Valerio’s LD teacher. This is a good example of how Ralph balances his perspectives.

Question: Did you find the Positioning paper to be helpful on what adds to the data and what distracts from the data?