Moderating Variables and Subjugated Knowledge in Research
Moderating Variables
A moderating variable is a factor that influences the strength or direction of the relationship between an independent variable (IV) and a dependent variable (DV). It specifies when certain effects will hold and helps researchers understand the generalizability of their findings to different subgroups. Moderating variables can be manipulated factors, stable individual characteristics (e.g., age, sex), or environmental contexts.
Examples of Moderating Variables
- Dosage of an intervention
- Extracurricular activities (moderating the relationship between attitudes and grades)
Importance of Moderating Variables
- Acknowledge the complexity of behavior and relationships
- Identify subgroups for which an intervention has the greatest or no effects
- Identify iatrogenic effects in subgroups
Science and Epistemology
Sandra Harding and the Neutrality Ideal
Sandra Harding argues that the neutrality ideal, the belief that science is objective and unbiased, is impossible to achieve. She believes that scientists are shaped by their social positions and that this influences their research. Harding proposes “strong objectivity,” which involves being open to diverse perspectives and challenging assumptions.
Objectivity in Research
Harding suggests that objectivity can be achieved through strong objectivity, which emphasizes openness to ideas, critical questioning, and detachment from personal biases. She advocates for standpoint theory, which suggests that marginalized groups have a unique and valuable perspective on social structures.
Subjugated Knowledge
Subjugated knowledge refers to the knowledge and experiences of marginalized groups that are often ignored or distorted by dominant groups. Harding argues that researchers should consider subjugated knowledge to gain a more complete understanding of social phenomena.
Examples of Subjugated Knowledge
- Harding: Knowledge from marginalized groups about their experiences of oppression
- Hesse-Biber: Feminist perspectives on research methodology
- Vikstrom: Informal work histories of women
Feminist Approaches to Triangulation
Feminist researchers, such as Hesse-Biber, advocate for a broader understanding of triangulation that includes acknowledging social power dynamics and incorporating diverse perspectives. They emphasize the importance of reflexivity, the process of reflecting on one’s own positionality and biases, in research.
Thomas Kuhn and Scientific Revolutions
Phases of Scientific Development
- Pre-normal or Preparadigmatic Inquiry: No consensus on a dominant theory.
- Normal Science: Puzzles are solved within the context of a dominant paradigm.
- Anomaly: Facts that are difficult to explain within the existing paradigm.
- Crisis or Revolutionary Science: Accumulation of anomalies leads to a questioning of the existing paradigm.
- Post-Revolution: A new paradigm is established, and normal science resumes.
Progression of Science
Kuhn argues that science progresses through periods of normal science, punctuated by revolutionary science. During normal science, progress is made by solving puzzles within the existing paradigm. During revolutionary science, anomalies lead to a crisis and the emergence of a new paradigm.
Common Thread: Historical and Social Context of Knowledge
Smith, Harding, and Kuhn all emphasize the importance of historical and social context in understanding knowledge production. They argue that knowledge is not neutral or objective but is shaped by power dynamics and social structures.
Colonization and Imperialism in Linda Tuhiwai Smith’s Work
Smith focuses on the impact of colonization and imperialism on indigenous research. She argues that Western science has often been used to legitimize colonial power structures and that indigenous researchers need to “write back” against these dominant narratives. Smith emphasizes the importance of indigenous methodologies and knowledge systems.
“The Empire Writes Back”
This phrase refers to the need for indigenous researchers to challenge and deconstruct colonial narratives and to assert their own perspectives and knowledge systems.
Conclusion
Understanding the role of moderating variables, subjugated knowledge, and the historical and social context of knowledge production is crucial for conducting ethical and rigorous research. By incorporating diverse perspectives and challenging dominant paradigms, researchers can contribute to a more just and equitable understanding of the world.