Effects of the researcher’s race/color and gender on empirical research: impacts on the racial classification of survey respondents

Abstract

This article addresses the impacts of the researcher's race/color or gender on the self-declared race/color of research participants. In order to analyze the phenomenon, we consider the responses to a survey and perceptions of the researchers who applied the survey in 2019 as part of the research project Racial Perceptions in the Federal District. We employ qualitative methods – brief reports from the interviewers – and quantitative methods. The results suggest the existence of a complex effect of both the race/color of the researchers and their gender in the way the interviewees designate their race/color. We present some provisional hypotheses to explain the differences found, the investigation of which will depend on new research to studies.

Keywords
racial parity; intersectionality; racial classification; survey