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intersectionality in research a critical analysis

Concise Guide to APA Style: 7th Edition (OFFICIAL)

Page 104 Review

The Importance of Intersectionality in Research: A Critical Review

This excerpt highlights the critical importance of addressing intersectionality in research, particularly when dealing with diverse populations.

It emphasizes the need to move beyond simplistic categorizations and acknowledge the complex interplay of various characteristics and group memberships that shape individual experiences.

The guide pushes back on the idea that one single characteristic is responsible for an outcome.

Defining Intersectionality

The text begins by outlining the components which comprise intersectionality:

To address intersectionality in a paper, identify individuals’ relevant characteristics and group memberships (e.g., ability and/or disability status, age, gender, gender identity, generation, historical as well as ongoing experiences of marginalization, immigrant status, language, national origin, race and/or ethnicity, religion or spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, social class, and SES, among other variables), and describe how their characteristics and group memberships intersect in ways that are relevant to the study.

This passage sets the stage for a more nuanced understanding of research participants.

By identifying these characteristics, researchers can begin to unravel the intricate ways in which different aspects of identity interact and influence outcomes.

Specific Reporting Guidelines

The excerpt then provides specific guidance on how to report participant data in a way that reflects intersectionality:

Report participant data for each group using specific terms as described in Sections 3.3 to 3.9.

For example, when describing participants in terms of their race and gender, write “20 participants were African American women, 15 participants were European American women, 23 participants were African American men, and 18 participants were European American men (all participants were cisgender)” rather than “35 participants were women and 41 were men; 43 were African American and 33 were European American.”

This example illustrates the importance of disaggregating data to reveal the experiences of specific subgroups.

Instead of simply reporting the total number of men and women, or the total number of African American and European American participants, the text advocates for providing a breakdown that captures the intersection of race and gender.

This level of detail allows for a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the data.

Moving Beyond Assumptions

The excerpt also cautions against making assumptions about the causes of research findings:

Likewise, when reporting and interpreting the results, note the impact of any intersections on the findings rather than assuming that one characteristic is responsible for what you found.

This is a crucial point.

It emphasizes the need to consider the potential influence of multiple intersecting factors when interpreting research results.

For example, if a study finds that African American women experience a particular health outcome at a higher rate than other groups, it is important to consider the ways in which race, gender, and other factors (e.g., socioeconomic status, access to healthcare) may interact to contribute to this disparity.

Referencing Established Guidelines

The excerpt concludes by referencing the APA’s Multicultural Guidelines:

For more discussion of intersectionality, see the Multicultural Guidelines: An Ecological Approach to Context, Identity, and Intersectionality (APA, 2017).

This reference provides researchers with a valuable resource for further exploring the concept of intersectionality and its implications for research.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this excerpt provides a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing intersectionality in research.

By identifying relevant characteristics, reporting data in a disaggregated manner, and avoiding assumptions about causality, researchers can contribute to a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the complex experiences of diverse populations.

Adhering to these guidelines is essential for conducting ethical and meaningful research that promotes equity and social justice.

The consideration of intersectionality helps ensure bias-free data that can lead to better reporting and understanding of the world.

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Intersectionality in Research: A Critical Analysis