Conceptualizing from the Inside: Advantages, Complications, and Demands on Insider Positionality

Abstract

The debate on insider/outsider positionality has raised issues about the methodological advantages and liabilities between the two, yet no clear account exists for what insider scholars can expect when they enter the field. First, I conceptualize how insider positionality can dually benefit and disadvantage the insider. Using a partial review of insider studies, including my study of my multigenerational Mexican American family, I also present a practical discussion on specific insider advantages and complications. In conclusion, I present a new approach to training novice insider scholars that will help them mediate between insider perspective and researcher position, an approach that promises greater rigor to insider research that will serve the goals of qualitative research for social justice in minority and indigenous communities.

Killing Them ‘Softly’ (!): Exploring Work Experiences in Care-Based Animal Dirty Work

“…Therefore, she was positioned as a full insider, obtaining a paid role as a frontline animal shelter-worker, hence establishing rapport with study participants (Ross, 2017) and gaining access to the personal experience of the work, including activities shielded from outsiders. Insider experiences are valuable in generating deeper knowledge (Chavez, 2008) and participatory designs key in conducting ethical research (Heron and Reason, 1997), an aspect we are mindful of when studying hidden phenomena. According to Flyvbjerg (2011), paradigmatic case studies (such as ours), are useful for learning deeper about phenomena with the purpose of creating metaphors to illustrate general societal characteristics as well as developing a more 'nuanced view of reality' and better understanding of human behaviour (p. 303).…”

Racial and Sexual Minority Scholar Positionality: Advancing Health Status and Life Opportunity Among Sexual Minority Men of Color

“…Extant research on diverse racial, ethnic, and sexual minority populations often describe distinct community social and cultural characteristics (Bailey, 2013;Carrillo, 2018;McCune, 2014;Padilla et al, 2008;Ramirez-Valles, 2011). BLSMM, for example, encompass a range of social identities (e.g., Black and/or Latino gay, bisexual, queer, or "DL" men) and cultural categories (e.g., house and ball communities) that presently inform research designs and clinical intervention strategies (Bailey, 2013;Castillo et al, 2012;Chavez, 2008;Hosek et al, 2015;McCune, 2014;Rios & Stewart, 2015). In our model, cultural knowledge and expertise of BLSMM facilitates improvement of HSLO among BLSMM by informing culturally responsive HSLO-centered research and clinical initiatives.…”

Going beyond good colleagues: Men’s and women’s perspectives on allyship behaviors toward women faculty in male-dominated disciplines in academia

“…First level data analysis was carried out by both authors independently from each other. The first author's positionality as an immigrant woman of color in a male-dominated academic discipline allowed for insider knowledge about the unique challenges and experiences of women faculty (Chavez, 2008). The second author is an immigrant male faculty of color in a numerically female-dominated academic discipline, was not involved in the data collection process and did not have access to any demographic information ensuring greater reliability in the data analysis process.…”