Attitudinal difference surveys perpetuate harmful tropes: A comment on Nattrass

Rosenberg, Eureta

Title: Attitudinal difference surveys perpetuate harmful tropes: A comment on Nattrass
Creator: Rosenberg, Eureta, Le Grange, Lesley
Subject: To be catalogued
Date: 2020
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370129
Identifier: vital:66300
Identifier: xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/8469"
Description: We reply to the article, ‘Why are black South African students less likely to consider studying biological sciences?’, authored by University of Cape Town (UCT) researcher Nicoli Nattrass1 and published in the South African Journal of Science on 27 May 2020. At the time of writing our reply the article had already received sharp criticism from the Black Academic Caucus at UCT and in a statement released on 5 June 2020, the UCT executive distanced itself from the content of the paper, inviting rigorous, respectful review of the published research. Nattrass’ article1 follows two papers published in 2019 by scholars associated with South African universities, both of which were widely denounced for the racist undertones of their content. The first article was authored by Stellenbosch University researchers who reported on low cognitive functioning of coloured women linked to education levels and lifestyles2 ; see comment by Le Grange3 . The second article was co-authored by an adjunct professor at UCT and examined the role of cognitive ability or intelligence on slave exports from Africa4 . These publications gave rise to a broader debate on enduring racism in science and the re-ascendency of race science internationally. In this reply, we focus on the methodology of attitudinal survey used for the study reported by Nattrass (and by many other scientists). There are two lines of argument that we weave together: the quality of the research as reported, and problems inherent to comparative attitudinal survey research (regardless of how well it is executed). It should be noted that the Black Academic Caucus at UCT has also critiqued the research design, identifying many of the points we make here, and they have additionally included a discourse analysis of the paper (circulated via e-mail). To demonstrate how problematic a survey design can be, particularly when it is not rigorously executed, we share data and observations that counter the apparent findings of Nattrass’ study. We then argue that the publication of this research, in this manner, is detrimental to the biodiversity sector in which the tropes being perpetuated, can cause enormous harm. In the process we hope to encourage scientists to be more reflexive about their methodology, and we encourage the South African Journal of Science to publish works that are worthy of the young people of this country - research in which they can recognise themselves, rather than being forced to look at reductionist portrayals, legitimised under the banner of science.
Format: computer, online resource, application/pdf, 1 online resource (7 pages), pdf
Publisher: South African Journal of Science
Language: English
Relation: South African Journal of Science, Rosenberg, E. and Le Grange, L., 2020. Attitudinal difference surveys perpetuate harmful tropes: A comment on Nattrass, S. Afr. J. Sci. South African Journal of Science, 116(SPE), pp.1-7, South African Journal of Science volume 116 SPE p. 1 2020 1996-7489
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the South African Journal of Science Copyright and Permissions Statement (https://www.sajs.co.za/copyright-permissions)
Rights: Open Access

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