The Rees Centre Webinar Lunchtime Series intends to focus on a broad range of questions related to the practice of care, practice in education, policy and system change. This series serves as a platform for the sharing and exchange of knowledge, catering to researchers, students, practitioners, and individuals interested in these subjects.
Bridging the gap between objectivity and subjectivity: Reflexivity in quantitative research
Tuesday 15 October, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Speaker: Dr Michelle Jamieson
Dr Michelle Jamieson is a Research Fellow in Data Science for the Scottish Centre of Administrative Data Research (SCADR). Their research interests include health, workforce, poverty and social exclusion. They have contributed to policy development and advancing knowledge in public health. They have expertise in critical quantitative methods and has developed innovative approaches that emphasize reflection and reflexivity in quantitative research.
Abstract
Reflexivity in quantitative research encourages researchers to critically examine how their beliefs, assumptions, and positionalities influence the research process and outcomes. This approach plays a crucial role in bridging the apparent gap between objectivity and subjectivity in quantitative research. In this seminar, Michelle will outline the key concepts from the paper Reflexivity in Quantitative Research: A Rationale and Beginner’s Guide, detailing practical steps for embedding reflexive thinking across all stages of research, from project design to data analysis. They will provide examples of how reflexivity enhances quantitative transparency, ethical rigor, and scientific integrity, and reflect on how this approach reshapes our understanding of bias and knowledge generation.
