Insider, Outsider or an In-Betweener? Epistemological Reflections of a Legally Blind Researcher on Conducting Cross-National Disability Research

Chhabra, Gagan

doi:10.16993/sjdr.696

Cited by 23 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The importance and influence of insider-outsider positionality of the researcher is discussed in researching stigma (Wigginton and Setchell, 2016), cross-cultural research (Suwankhong and Liamputtong, 2015), research on minority groups (Chhabra, 2020) and culturally sensitive research (Manohar et al, 2017). These prior research studies have extensively examined the many advantages and limitations of being insider or outsider researchers.…”

Section: Insider-outsider Dichotomymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, participants would have certain expectations from insiders. The insider researchers, too, would feel a heightened sense of responsibility toward the participants, which can strain the researchers emotionally (Chhabra, 2020). At the same time, insiders might face the dilemma of deciding whether to report the actual findings or succumb to the group's solidarity and interests in instances where the findings contradict the groups' interests and values.…”

Section: Insider-outsider Dichotomymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, being insiders to the cultural group (e.g. Timraz et al, 2016) or the stigmatized group is said to help overcome such issues of gaining access to the participants (Chhabra, 2020;Hayfield and Huxley, 2014).…”

Section: Reflections Of Challenges Difficulty In Recruiting Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, 2008; Rodríguez-Dorans, 2018), culturally sensitive research (Manohar et al. , 2017) or research on stigmatized or hidden individuals/groups (Chhabra, 2020; Wigginton and Setchell, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/1746-5648.htm topics (Dickson-Swift et al, 2008;Rodr ıguez-Dorans, 2018), culturally sensitive research (Manohar et al, 2017) or research on stigmatized or hidden individuals/groups (Chhabra, 2020;Wigginton and Setchell, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Researching sensitive topics when the participants are stigmatized, the culture is value-laden and the researcher is an insider-outsider

Adikaram

Weerakotuwa

Liyanage

2022

QROM

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PurposeThis paper aims to revisit the debate on the insider-outsider positionality of the researcher in conducting qualitative research by highlighting the challenges of researching sexual harassment and harassment among stigmatized or hidden groups of individuals in a culturally value-laden backdrop in South Asia.Design/methodology/approachThe authors drew on a bricolage of methods to analyze and write this paper. First, the authors borrowed from the case study approach to select three research projects that would shed light on the argument raised in the study. Then, narratives, together with self and critical reflexivity were used to write reflective narratives, which served as data for this paper. Next, the authors used the thematic analysis method to analyze the reflective narratives. Finally, the authors drew from literature and the experiences to provide recommendations for the challenges thus identified.FindingsThe critical reflections highlight three overarching challenges the authors encountered as insider-outsiders in researching a sensitive topic among stigmatized/hidden groups in a value-laden cultural backdrop: 1) difficulty in recruitment, 2) internalized gender norms and 3) unconscious biases. Based on these challenges, the authors posit that what is pertinent is not whether a researcher is an insider, outsider or in-betweener per se, but how to maximize benefits and minimize pitfalls of being an insider or outsider and employing other means of overcoming the drawbacks. The authors also claim that being more sensitive to the culture, reflexive, flexible and experienced would help overcome challenges faced when conducting research of this nature as insiders-outsiders.Originality/valueThere appears to be little empirically derived inquiry on the insider-outsider positionality of the researchers at the intersection of sensitive topics, stigmatized participants and culture. Our reflections and suggestions address this lacuna while revisiting the simplistic use of insider-outsider dichotomy and proposing other means to overcome the drawbacks brought on by the researcher positionality.

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Section: Insider-outsider Dichotomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Insider-outsider Dichotomymentioning

confidence: 99%