Although I understand perfectly the definitions
for objectivity and subjectivity, I nevertheless seem to come across difficulty
when trying to understand these concepts in my writing. I find myself asking “is
that objective or subjective?”. It
sometimes, is a struggle to differentiate between the two, I feel quite challenged.
I’m also wondering if I can be subjective at all in my writing? I’m confused as
I’m uncertain where the line is between the two. For the Critical Inquiry, the
handbook states that we can share our experiences about the data collection and
that is the most narrative part. Yet, this is an academic paper where as I
gather from my bit of research and ethical conditions, I should be more
objective. Subjectivity can bias the researcher. I try to put my emotions aside
and state the facts, but I feel I lose the
flow of the essay. Maybe, subjectivity is in many levels and I don’t need
to lay my heart on my sleeve, so to speak.
Writing the various essays throughout the
models I’ve come to realise that I write how I speak. I’ve tried to work on
that aspect, saying what I need to say in fewer words. Getting to the point
quicker, is an ongoing effort! I have to admit that this personality trait has
been reflected in my teaching the past few years. I don’t know if I got into the
habit of repeating myself to make a point, or because I wondered if my pupils
had trouble understanding me (I speak Norwegian but with a distinctive British
accent).
Today I’ve spent time trying to find ways
to improve my academic writing (and stopping my head from spinning at a very
fast rate!). Using objective and subjective language and the use of grammar is
something I’ve not recognised.
If anybody is interested here is a link I’ve
found which may be of some help:
Sam
Hi Samantha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog and link. Very helpful as I, too, am struggling to find the balance between those 2 sections of the paper; narrative vs. objective research.
We're nearly there though!
Thanks,
Imogen
I don't think we can ever be truly objective about ourselves. We're just too involved. Hence the work to acknowledge and state our biases and frameworks at the beginning, I suppose. It's a long labor of pulling apart our own subjectivity without throwing it out entirely.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam, great reading your blog. I am also trying to find my way into academic writing and struggling with objectivity vs. subjectivity. I also think, like Hannah has written above, that we can never be truly objective with our selves, I have been thinking if maybe being aware of ones frame of reference, from which one is writing or looking at things, is part of trying to be objective?
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your replies, it's great to read your views too!
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link and your blog.
I find it hard to be subjective on paper. It has proved a bit of a stumbling block on my current Module as I find myself falling into writing in a detached way. The translation from subjectivity looking into my personal opinion or bias into academic writing is a tricky one.