Academic Voice in Scholarly Writing

Overview

• Author: Garry Gray, University of Victoria

• Publication Date: 1-16-2017

• Source: The Qualitative Report Volume 22, Article 10

• Topics: Academic voice, reflexivity, epistemology, and gender bias in scholarly writing.

• Keywords: Writing, Epistemology, Reflexivity, Ethics, Publishing

Abstract

• The paper addresses tensions across disciplines regarding what constitutes appropriate academic voice in writing.

• It examines:

  • Reflexivity in research

  • Gender bias and the rise of social media

  • Variations in academic voice influenced by class, race, and gender

  • Commercialization of academic science and its impacts

• Goal: Increase understanding of epistemological underpinnings of academic voice.

Introduction

• Tensions in Academic Writing: Conflicting opinions across different disciplines about academic voice are rooted in diverse epistemological perspectives.

• Increasing interest in qualitative methods from traditionally quantitative researchers has led to debates about voice and reflexivity.

• Reflexivity: The practice of reflecting on oneself and one's influence as a researcher, which is more prevalent in qualitative disciplines.

The Concept of Voice

• Definition:

  • Voice refers to how authors present themselves in their writing, linking them to their subjects.

  • It reflects the author's intentions and subjectivity.

• Impact of Epistemology on Voice:

  • Authors' epistemological positions (objective, interpretive, critical) influence their academic voice.

  • The type of voice used can affect the perception of authority and objectivity in scholarly writing.

Historical Context

• Crisis of Representation: Emerged in the 1980s, challenging the notion of a singular truth, leading to greater exploration of diverse narratives in research.

• Criticism of traditional, objective approaches created space for more personal and reflexive writing.

• Nevertheless, a distant authoritative voice continues to dominate in many fields due to institutional and disciplinary norms.

Academic Writing Practices

• Reflexive Voice: The reluctance to use personal-reflexive voice can stem from institutional pressures for objectivity.

• Distancing in writing often advocated to avoid perceived biases.

• The choice of voice can shape the reception of research findings and affect credibility.

Commercialization and Ethical Considerations

• Impact of Commercialization: Academic writing has been influenced by commercial interests, affecting narrative styles and authorial voice.

• Ghostwriting: A controversial practice where industry-sponsored manuscripts may not reflect the actual contributions of the named authors, raising ethical concerns.

Gender and Voice

• Gender Bias: Gender influences perceptions of voice in academic writing, with research showing that women often experience biases in publishing and peer review.

• Male dominance in authorship often associates objective voice with masculinity while personal voice is seen as feminine.

• Social media being used to expose and challenge gender bias in science.

Reflexivity and Emotion in Research

• Researcher Emotion: Important for enhancing the transparency and trustworthiness of qualitative accounts.

• Emotional engagement in research can lead to deeper insights but may also pose risks for credibility.

• Recent controversies in qualitative research illustrate the complexities of balancing emotional engagement and professional expectations.

Conclusion

• Distant vs. Personal Voice: The dichotomy between distant authoritative voice and personal-reflexive voice continues to challenge scholars.

• Reflexivity can enhance understanding of social phenomena, but traditional norms still favor objectivity.

• Further discussion and integration of personal voice in academic writing could benefit the field by enriching research narratives and promoting inclusivity.

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to individuals who contributed insights for the development of this article.

References

• Includes a comprehensive list of works cited, demonstrating the depth and breadth of academic dialogue surrounding these topics.