Hungry to Be Noticed - Young Women, Anorexia, and Schooling by Rich - Article Example

Research Article Critique Introduction Rich (2006) research article examines the ways in young women address the complexities of an anorexic identity, the stigma associated with it and the respective relationships that they have with fellow sufferers. Drawing from a wide range of ethnographic data from a leading center that specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, Rich (2006) establishes that for many young women anorexia is a stigmatised identity which is often perceived as a self-inflicted and irrational condition. The study further establishes that as a result of the stigmatized identity associated with aneroxia, a form of ‘discursive constraint’ is formed which causes many young women to resist by forming relationships that enable them to construct more positive anorexic identities and self-representations (Rich 2006). Essentially, this research study provides invaluable insight on how young women living with aneroxia negotiate different discourses which provide alternative perspective on aneroxia that enables them to manage the condition both as an identity and illness. This paper seeks to critically analyse and critique different aspects of Rich (2006) research paper. The aspects that will be analysed and critiqued include; the research problem/ problem statement, the literature reviewed, the research design, the sampling method and the methods of data collection. Research Problem/ Problem Statement Rich (2006) identifies the research problem to revolve around the lack of adequate research that addresses how young women manage discourses and social constructions of eating disorders such as aneroxia. He observes that, the increasing prevalence of aneroxia has fuelled increasing attention from researchers. Many researchers have predominantly focused on providing discourses on medicalised’ constructions and social influences of this condition. Nevertheless, there is relatively little research that has looked into how young women manage such discourses. As a result, this study seek to address this research problem by examining the everyday experience of young women living with anorexia, the ways in which the condition is stigmatized by others and the practices that young women with anorexia engage in order to resist stigmatisation (Rich 2006). The problem statement of this research article has clearly identified the population being studied i.e young women living with aneroxia. However, the specific age group of the population is not mentioned and is simply generalized as “young women”. The significance of this study has been clearly expressed. This researcher has illustrated that this study will provide additional knowledge on the construction of aneroxia as a social identity and how various aneroxia constructions are managed by young women. Although the author of this article has clearly expressed the research problem, the variables or phenomenon of interest in this study are not easily identifiable. The researcher has failed to elaborate on the specific social or medical constructions that contribute to the stigmatization of aneroxia. Moreover, it is not clear whether the focus of the study is directed towards how anorexia is constructed as a social identity and how it is managed by young women or how aneroxia is stigmazed and how young women resist such stigmatization. Moreover, the relationship between the variables in this study is not clear. The researcher has not clearly showed the connection between anorexic subjectivities and the practices employed by young women to address or managed such subjectivities. Literature Reviewed This research article has drawn on various literature sources in order to provide a theoretical foundation/ background for the study. Throughout the study Rich (2006) has referred to different research studies to provide different perspectives, constructions and stigmatization of aneroxia. The literature review in this study is systematic in nature, the author begins by exploring the prevalence of eating disorders and current trends in research particularly in relation to the discourses presented on aneroxia. By alluding to previously conducted studies by Malson (1998), Hepworth (1999), Warin (2002) and Warin (2004), Rich (2006) establishes the existing gap in literature particularly when it comes to how young women manage discourses and constructions surrounding aneroxia. The author then explores the existing constructions and how they propagate stigmatization of persons living with aneroxia. In reference to findings from studies by Cogan (1991), Malson (1998) and Rich et al (2004), the author explores the discursive constraints brought about the stigmatization of anorexia which is a key theme of this research article. Although the literature review section in this paper covers key discussions on different constructions and stigmatization of aneroxia, it is not exhaustive in nature. The author’s review seems to focus on one angle of the argument especially when it comes to the discursive constraints of aneroxia. The key argument in this case portrays anorexia is condition that is subjected to negative construction. Despite the fact that different literature sources have been used, alternatives views or counter arguments have not been explored in-depth. In essence, the literature review lacks a critical synthesis of different constructions and stigmatization of aneroxia (Rich (2006). Drawing on various literature sources the author has managed to clearly and consistently bring out the relationship between the stigmatization in discourse of aneroxia and the management strategies used by young women to cope with aneroxia both a social identity and an illness. Overall the literature review has demonstrated the significance of the study by not only highlighting the existing gaps in literature but by also providing a theoretical background that supplements the study’s findings on how young women living with aneroxia negotiate different discourses on aneroxia in order to manage the condition both as an identity and illness (Rich 2006). Research Design This study employs a qualitative research design that encompasses the use of an ethnographic approach. Rich (2006) describes the research design as one that involves a small qualitative study using of a range of ethnographic data and voices from a leading centre in the UK for the treatment of eating disorders. The research design further involves the triangulation of a range of ethnographic data and the use of a feminist post-structuralist analysis approach. Since the key aim of this study is to examine the real life experiences of how young women living with aneroxia manage the condition both as an identity and illness, the use of an ethnographic approach is suitable. In this regard, Barbie (2012), observes that an ethnographic approach provides a suitable framework for researchers to examine and interpret the real life experiences from the point of view of the research subjects. Similalrly, Klenke (2008) argues that a qualitative approach enables the exploration of social issues in their natural setting by interpreting and analysing the views of informants. Unlike quantitative research approaches which mainly focus on measurement or quantifying relationships between variables, the use of a qualitative ethnographic approach has enabled the researcher to provide textual descriptions, explore and interpret research issues in-depth. The use of this approach has also enabled the researcher to avoid generalizations and collect data that is contextually specific (Mack & Woodsong 2005). Therefore, the use of a qualitative ethnographic research design was relevant to the phenomenon being examined in this study and suitable for addressing the objectives of this study. Although the research design employed in this study provides a suitable framework for addressing the objectives of the study one of the limitation of this research design is that whilst it draws on a range of voices it still represented through the author’s interpretations. This in turn leaves room for misinterpretation or individual bias. Moreover, the author has not provided clear and adequate justification on how the research design used will help to generate credible and accurate findings. Sampling Method As far as the sampling method is concerned, this research article does not provide enough details on how the sample was chosen. Neither does it provide details regarding the inclusion or exclusion criteria used to select the sample population. Rich (2006) simply provides details on who the sample included. She notes that the sample included young women with different degrees of aneroxia. Nevertheless, it is evident that a non random/probability sampling method has been used since the entire population of young women living aneroxia was not sampled. The study mainly involved young women from one centre. Barbie (2012) notes that in many cases social research studies are conducted in situations that do not permit probability sampling. In this case, it might be plausible to argue that a convenient method was used. Convenience sampling entails selecting a sample population because of their accessibility or availability to the researcher (Gravetter & Forzano 2015). This approach to sampling helps to save time and resources however it is considered as limited because it is not completely representative of the entire population. According to Gravetter & Forzano (2015) while using a convenience sampling method the researcher exercises little control over the representativeness of the sample thus there is a strong possibility that the selected sample in biased. Moreover, the sample size used in this study is very small and mat not be representative of the entire population. It is therefore plausible to argue that the sample used in this study was not completely representative. Overall the description of the sampling method in this research article is not clear and does not provide adequate information on how the sample was chosen or the criteria used. Methods of Data collection The data collection method used in this study involved the collection of narratives from young women living with aneroxia using semi-structured interviews and by drawing from narratives from previously conducted ethnographic studies. Both primary and secondary data are collected. Rich (2006) clearly describes and specifies the methods and sources used for data collected. She notes that this paper includes multiple voices and ethnographic data drawn from semi-structured interviews and ethnographic project exploring the relationship between disordered eating and schooling. Since this study seeks to examine the real life experiences of how young women living with aneroxia manage the condition both as an identity and illness, the collection of in-depth and descriptive data is important. The use of semi-structured interviews provides a platform where research can engage in a conversation with a respondent so as to obtain meaning and provide in-depth understanding of the identified research issues (Mack & Woodsong 2005). Therefore, the collection of narratives from young women living with aneroxia using semi-structured interviews is suitable and helps to supplement the design and objectives of the study. The data collected throughout this study is qualitative in nature and has been subjected to the researcher’s interpretation. Therefore the findings collected through this study maybe limited in the sense that they are subjective in nature and leave room for biases.Given that the findings from qualitative data are generated by interpreting and analysing the views, opinion and experiences of research participants, there is likelihood that some of the information gathered may include bias from either the research participants or the researcher (Mack et al 2005). Thus putting to question the credibility and accuracy of the findings established. Despite of these limitations the author of this research article has not provided adequate justification on how bias will be avoided and how the methods of data collection used will help to generate credible and accurate findings. Conclusion This research article examines the ways in young women address the complexities of an anorexic identity, the stigma associated with it and the respective relationships that they have with fellow sufferers. The research problem identified in this study revolves around the lack of adequate research that addresses how young women manage discourses and social constructions of eating disorders such as aneroxia. Although the author of this article has clearly expressed the research problem, the variables or phenomenon of interest in this study are not easily identifiable. The literature review in this study is systematic in nature, it effectively covers key discussions on different constructions and stigmatization of aneroxia. Nevertheless, the literature review lacks a critical synthesis of different constructions and stigmatization of aneroxia. This study employs a qualitative research design that encompasses the use of an ethnographic approach. It provides a suitable framework for addressing the objectives of the study. However, one of the limitations of this research design is that whilst it draws on a range of voices it still represented through the author’s interpretations. As far as the sampling method is concerned, this research article does not provide enough details on how the sample was chosen. Since the findings of this study are generated by interpreting and analysing the views, opinion and experiences of research participants, there is likelihood that some of the information gathered may include bias from either the research participants or the researcher. However, the author of this article has not provided adequate justification on how bias will be avoided and how the methods of data collection used will help to generate credible and accurate findings. References Barbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. 13th ed. Belmont, CA: Cengage Cogan, J. (1999).” Re-evaluating the weight centered approach toward health: the need for a paradigm shift”. In Sobal, J. and Maurer, D. Interpreting Weight: the Social Management of Fatness and Thinness. New York: Aldine De Gruyter Gravetter, F. & Forzano, L., (2015). Research Methods for Behavioural Sciences. London: Cengage Learning. Hepworth, J. (1999). The Social Construction of Anorexia. London: Sage. Klenke, K. (2008). Qualitative Research in the study of leadership. Bradford: Emerald Publishing, Mack, N. & Woodsong, C. & Family Health International (2005). Qualitative research methods: a data collector's field guide. North Carolina: Family Health International. Malson, H. (1998). The Thin Woman: Feminism, Poststructuralism and the Social Pyschology of Anorexia Nervosa. London: Routledge. Rich, E., Holroyd, R. & Evans, J. (2004). “Hungry to be noticed: young women, anorexia and schooling”. In Evans, J., Davies, B. and Wright, J. (eds) Body, Knowledge and Control. London: Routledge Rich, E. (2006). “Anorexic dis(connection): managing anorexia as an illness and an identity”. Sociology of Health & Illness 28(3),284–305 Warin, M. (2002). Becoming and unbecoming: abject relations in anorexia. Unpublished Doctoral Thesis, Departments of Anthropology and Social Inquiry, Adelaide University, Adelaide. Warin, M. (2004). “Primitivising anorexia: the irresistible spectacle of not eating.” The Australian Journal of Anthropology, 15, 1, 95–104. Read More

The researcher has failed to elaborate on the specific social or medical constructions that contribute to the stigmatization of aneroxia. Moreover, it is not clear whether the focus of the study is directed towards how anorexia is constructed as a social identity and how it is managed by young women or how aneroxia is stigmazed and how young women resist such stigmatization. Moreover, the relationship between the variables in this study is not clear. The researcher has not clearly showed the connection between anorexic subjectivities and the practices employed by young women to address or managed such subjectivities.

Literature Reviewed This research article has drawn on various literature sources in order to provide a theoretical foundation/ background for the study. Throughout the study Rich (2006) has referred to different research studies to provide different perspectives, constructions and stigmatization of aneroxia. The literature review in this study is systematic in nature, the author begins by exploring the prevalence of eating disorders and current trends in research particularly in relation to the discourses presented on aneroxia.

By alluding to previously conducted studies by Malson (1998), Hepworth (1999), Warin (2002) and Warin (2004), Rich (2006) establishes the existing gap in literature particularly when it comes to how young women manage discourses and constructions surrounding aneroxia. The author then explores the existing constructions and how they propagate stigmatization of persons living with aneroxia. In reference to findings from studies by Cogan (1991), Malson (1998) and Rich et al (2004), the author explores the discursive constraints brought about the stigmatization of anorexia which is a key theme of this research article.

Although the literature review section in this paper covers key discussions on different constructions and stigmatization of aneroxia, it is not exhaustive in nature. The author’s review seems to focus on one angle of the argument especially when it comes to the discursive constraints of aneroxia. The key argument in this case portrays anorexia is condition that is subjected to negative construction. Despite the fact that different literature sources have been used, alternatives views or counter arguments have not been explored in-depth.

In essence, the literature review lacks a critical synthesis of different constructions and stigmatization of aneroxia (Rich (2006). Drawing on various literature sources the author has managed to clearly and consistently bring out the relationship between the stigmatization in discourse of aneroxia and the management strategies used by young women to cope with aneroxia both a social identity and an illness. Overall the literature review has demonstrated the significance of the study by not only highlighting the existing gaps in literature but by also providing a theoretical background that supplements the study’s findings on how young women living with aneroxia negotiate different discourses on aneroxia in order to manage the condition both as an identity and illness (Rich 2006).

Research Design This study employs a qualitative research design that encompasses the use of an ethnographic approach. Rich (2006) describes the research design as one that involves a small qualitative study using of a range of ethnographic data and voices from a leading centre in the UK for the treatment of eating disorders. The research design further involves the triangulation of a range of ethnographic data and the use of a feminist post-structuralist analysis approach. Since the key aim of this study is to examine the real life experiences of how young women living with aneroxia manage the condition both as an identity and illness, the use of an ethnographic approach is suitable.

In this regard, Barbie (2012), observes that an ethnographic approach provides a suitable framework for researchers to examine and interpret the real life experiences from the point of view of the research subjects.

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