Positionality statements in science

2024/06/21 by Veli‐Matti Karhulahti · 1 voice · 1 citation
Decision Sciences · Social Sciences · #Climate Change Communication and Perception #Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration #scientometrics and bibliometrics research

paper · doi:10.12688/openreseurope.17058.2

openalex publication_date 2024/06/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

The goal of this essay is to clarify positionality as an epistemological scientific concept and address related misunderstandings to help researchers assess whether statements thereof contribute to their work. Positionality statements can be useful for various research designs across scientific fields, when they are used knowingly.

Citations

• False-Positive Psychology
• Reducing bias, increasing transparency and calibrating confidence with preregistration

Cited by

• Handling conflicts of interest concerns more than transparency

Discussions

• I wrote a short introduction to the epistemology of positionality statements. There has been a lot of confusion on the topic -- hopefully this helps people in different scientific fields to evaluate a [bsky, 7 points, 2 comments]

Related

• Positionality: Reflecting on the Research Process
• Researcher Positionality - A Consideration of Its Influence and Place in Qualitative Research - A New Researcher Guide
• Integrating Positionality Statements in Empirical Software Engineering Research
• Positionality Reloaded: Debating the Dimensions of Reflexivity in the Relationship Between Science and Society: An Editorial
• Beyond Making a Statement: An Intersectional Framing of the Power and Possibilities of Positioning