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Accepted: June 27 2011.
Abstract
Aim To highlight observations on the dilemmas of insider research.
Background Researchers in qualitative research have traditionally been thought of as positioned inside or outside the social group being studied. However, there is recognition of the blurring of the apparent separation between these two positions. This paper discusses the ethical and methodological dilemmas involved as an 'insider' when negotiating access to the field and recruiting participants.
Review methods This is a reflective paper.
Conclusion The personal insight into researcher positionality provided in this paper shows that qualitative researchers need to consider carefully the potential risks to participants when conducting insider research.
Keywords Reciprocity, story sharing, storytelling, self-disclosure, data collection, qualitative research, insider research
Introduction
In qualitative research, it is common for researchers to be part of the social group they are investigating. Consequently, the researcher is already 'a native', 'indigenous' or 'inside' before the study begins (Bonner and Tolhurst et al 2002). 'Insiders' are individuals who have a place in the social group being studied before the start of the investigation and 'outsiders' are non-members of the group. However, Ritchie et al (2009) suggest that qualitative research has seen a blurring of the apparent separation between 'insiderness' and 'outsiderness', and that it is more appropriate to define the stance of researchers by their physical and psychological distance from the phenomenon being studied, and less by their paradigmatic position.
Mercer (2007) reported how traditional literature on research methods tends to gloss over the intricacies of insider research and proposed that insiders are not well supported in their attempts to navigate the hidden ethical and methodological dilemmas of insiderness. This paper outlines some of the dilemmas and ethical issues I encountered while carrying out research as an insider during which I observed how nurse lecturers act as facilitators of problem-based learning in seminars in higher education (Moore 2009). I will discuss, using illustrative methodological memos, issues I encountered relating to the social norms involved in negotiating access to the field, and my experience as an insider of recruiting participants, while attempting to observe without participating. Pseudonyms are used throughout the paper.
Social dilemmas
Allen (2004) argued that the researcher's status as an insider or an outsider changes at various points in...