Experience of Conducting Sensitive Qualitative Research as a Cultural Outsider: Formulation of a Guide for Reflexivity

Studies conducted by outsider researchers, who do not share the participants’ culture, language or other traits, are often complex. The positionalities of participants are rarely considered in qualitative research literature but their influence defines how they engage with the researchers and their...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of qualitative methods 2021-11, Vol.20
Main Authors: Joseph, Friday I., Earland, Jane, Ahmed, Maryam A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breastfeeding & lactation
Cultural differences
Cultural groups
Cultural identity
Ethical dilemmas
Mapping
Mitigation
Qualitative research
Reflexivity
Researchers
Social identity
Socioeconomic status
Women
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Summary:Studies conducted by outsider researchers, who do not share the participants’ culture, language or other traits, are often complex. The positionalities of participants are rarely considered in qualitative research literature but their influence defines how they engage with the researchers and their research. There is little within the literature specifically written for novice qualitative researchers working as an outsider. In this article, the experience of conducting research on breastfeeding in Nigeria with Hausa–Fulani Muslim women has been used to reflect upon the challenges of researching as an outsider. Drawing upon this work, a guide has been developed for researchers working with a group from a different cultural, ethnic or socioeconomic background to their own. The guide includes social identity mapping of both researcher and participants, a consideration of the sensitivity, vulnerability and cultural identity lenses through which the identity of the researcher, participants, and context intersect to influence the study, and reflexive questions. Considering these questions before conducting a study can help researchers to anticipate and proactively develop mitigation strategies to address common methodological and ethical dilemmas they may encounter.
ISSN:1609-4069
1609-4069
DOI:10.1177/16094069211058616