Week 11. Critical Theory

We learned two weeks ago that there are a lot of different theories we can use to direct our research. And we also learned that there is a hierarchy for those theories. This week we talked about critical theory, a big umbrella that covers a lot of other micro theories. Critical theory is an emancipatory theory, that looks for freedom, social justice and power balance in our society. It deals with very complex and sensitive topics providing understanding and interpretation.

This theory is not free of critiques, one of the biggest being its political agenda that can generate a strong bias in the researcher. Concerning this, we had an interesting exercise today, a debate considering how unbiased has to be a researcher. I think that it is impossible to completely isolate the science of the context, especially in the educational context. Our area is an ever-evolving field where context acquires a particular importance in order to achieve appropriate comprehension of the studied phenomenon.

We should develop relationships in order to access data, we must take the research to the participants instead of moving them into the research. We don't have the luxury of controlled environments and variables, so the best way to confront this is with the correct theoretical foundation and a research project design that has approaches and methodologies that fit the purpose.

Week 10. Functionalism/Structutalism

This theory states that every role in society has a function that is necessary for its correct existence. Power imbalances and conflict will happen but in the end, the system will regulate itself. Every part of society works to promote social harmonization.

We can use our body as an example, every organ fulfills a complex function, but they are not useful isolated, they need to collaborate with other organs to keep the entire body functioning. In the same way, society's behavior is integrated of the individuals' behavior.

Week 9. The importance of Theory in research

This week we talked about the importance of theory in research. I have to be honest, this is particularly hard for me at this point. I come from an operational job where philosophical assumptions received little consideration.

However, I'm aware that this is one of the skills I need to develop in this program in order to become a serious and respected researcher. I've had long conversations with Dr. Riveros about the theoretical approach to my Thesis research. He has given me the orientation I never had before and in conjunction with this Seminar, I'm sure I will reach my goal.

Theoretical frameworks are like glasses, they give us different perspectives of the same phenomena and because of that, it is really important that we select the most appropriate one. Before I come here I was confident that the binary qualitative/quantitative was all I need to learn for analyzing a problem or an issue. Now I'm aware of the different paths we can follow to find the truth (or truths).

We can use theory to select ideas, formulate and design research questions, even for predictions about the outcomes. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a strong knowledge about which techniques and methods can be applied to the theory we select. this will take me some time, but the OGS paper application will be a fantastic opportunity to test what my progress has been this far.

Week 8. Data Collection Techniques

This week we had our data collection techniques presentation. I was so afraid because this was going to be my very first graded presentation in a different language (not Spanish). I'm glad Dr. Marianne gave me the chance to work with Hershy. It was an amazing journey from the planning to the actual presentation. We had such a continuous ideas exchange form the very beginning.

Hershy's background was extremely useful for this assignment. I should say that I learned a lot form her y I'm very happy with the final result. It was an interesting exercise because just a few months ago I was on the other side, grading my students' presentations. At that time I probably wasn't fully aware of how they felt, about their fears and insecurities. It is amazing that being here for around two months have shown me a thousand ways to be a better professor when I come back to Ecuador. I'm more grateful to my Government, to Western and my family for allowing me to live this transformational experience.

My classmates' presentations were impressive. I will especially remember Polin and Carolyn's storytelling. It was a very engaging technique, I would've never thought that the association of a story with an inanimate object could have such an impact. This reminded me of the Indigenous Methodologies class because of the respect a researcher needs to have over artifacts, words, and gestures.