The Impact of Racism, Power, Privilege, and Positionality on Communication Sciences and Disorders Research: Time to Reconceptualize and Seek a Pathway to Equity

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this article is to explore how racism, privilege, power, and positionality negatively impact clinical research conducted in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. Conclusions Evidence suggests solutions will not emerge from a minor revision or adjustment of current research approaches. Instead, to make deep and necessary changes, a complete restructuring of the research process is needed. This restructuring calls for a reconceptualization of how research questions and hypotheses are formed, how methods are selected, how data are analyzed and interpreted, and who is at the table throughout this process of knowledge generation. Such an overhaul of current research approaches will offer the field a solution-oriented roadmap for scientific investigation that facilitates greater equity in the research enterprise that translates into improved clinical outcomes for all clients served.