essential-guide-to-qualitative-in-organizational-research

182 –––––––––– QUALITATIVE METHODS IN ORGANIZATION STUDIES ––––––––––––––––––Critical research may challenge academic privilege by arguing for the role of the participantresearcher (Denzin and Lincoln, 1998). Participation could be through action research inwhich employees themselves explore and challenge organizational practices (see Heller,Chapter 28, this volume), or through the acknowledgement of participants as co-researchers(see Hartley, Chapter 26, this volume). This is in sharp contrast to the traditional positivistpsychological description of research subjects and to some degree, in conflict with Alvessonand Deetz’s (2000) argument that only outsiders can make the familiar strange and so observethe subtle exercise of power.EthicsEthical issues are fundamental to critical research and include not only a concern with researchpractices, but also critical awareness of whose interests the research serves. As criticalresearchers, we must be open about our own ideological position, concerned about the impactthat we have within an organization and take responsibility for the wider impact of ourresearch findings.We must observe the normal ethical standards of sound research but also expose ourselvesto criticism. In adopting such a position, we must be seen to practise what we preach (see forexample, the debate between Wray-Bliss and Collinson in Organization, 2002). In other words,we must reflexively examine our own motives.As critical researchers we position ourselves as speaking for the oppressed. This presentstwo ethical risks: one is the danger of misrepresentation and the second, more complexdifficulty, is of the power structures and dominance inherent in the arrogance of claiming tospeak for another.SummaryBroadly, there are four areas we see as fundamental to critical analysis. First are issues of contextand ideology. What is the social and historical context in which the research takes place andhow does this influence what is accepted as true? Second is the focus on language. How arethe research areas discussed within organizations, how are words used and defined and whatalternative readings are there? Third is concern with power. Who is speaking and who isheard? What are the implications of these uses of language for privilege and oppression withinthis context? Finally, there is a responsibility to reflect on our own role and the ethicalimplications of our research. Where are we positioned as researchers and what is the possibleimpact of our work on other participants in the process? Critical research is concerned bothwith challenging research orthodoxy and challenging organizational practice.PREVIOUS RESEARCH ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Critical research has aimed to reveal both the subordinating processes that have an impact onunderprivileged groups but also show the ways in which group members may recognize,subvert and resist domination. For example, early critical research was clearly focused on socialclass. Paul Willis (1977) in Learning to Labour challenges the extent of liberation through equalityof educational opportunity by examining the socializing of working class boys into ideas of