Some reflections on outsider and insider identities in ethnic and migrant qualitative research Cover Image

Some reflections on outsider and insider identities in ethnic and migrant qualitative research
Some reflections on outsider and insider identities in ethnic and migrant qualitative research

Author(s): Sharon Wray, Michelle Bartholomew
Subject(s): Methodology and research technology, Migration Studies, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: Insider; outsider; ethnicity; reflexivity;

Summary/Abstract: This article explores some of the methodological issues relating to outsider and insider identities in ethnic and migrant qualitative research. It draws upon two qualitative research studies that set out to examine older (55-75 years) migrant African Caribbean women’s experiences of health and ageing in the UK. An aim is to problematise the conceptualisation of insiderness and outsiderness as polarised and discrete, and provide some examples of how these identities might overlap and intersect. The article takes issue with the argument that it is both possible and desirable to ‘match’ the ethnic background of researcher and participant.

  • Issue Year: 7/2010
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 7-16
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: English