Insider and Outsider Perspectives: Reflections on Researcher Identities in Research with Lesbian and Bisexual Women

Nikki Hayfield,Caroline Huxley

doi:10.1080/14780887.2014.918224

Nikki Hayfield, Caroline Huxley

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2014.918224

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Abstract

In this article, we reflect on the concept of the insider and the outsider in qualitative research. We draw on our different experiences of conducting research with lesbian and bisexual women, using our PhD research projects as case studies to consider our similarities to and differences from our research participants. We highlight the impact that insider/outsider status can have at each stage of the research process, from deciding on a research topic, the design of materials, communicating with and recruiting participants through to data collection and analysis. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both insider and outsider positions and reflect on our own experiences. We conclude that, in reality, insider/outsider boundaries may be more blurred than the terms imply and highlight some of the ethical considerations that need to be taken into consideration during qualitative research.

Highlights

An ‘insider’ is a researcher who personally belongs to the group to which their participants belong (based on characteristics such as ethnicity, sexual identity and gender), while an ‘outsider’ is not a member of that group (Gair, 2012)
An ‘insider’ is a researcher who personally belongs to the group to which their participants belong, while an ‘outsider’ is not a member of that group (Gair, 2012)
It is important to consider the implications of being an insider/outsider because researchers have an active role in the description and presentation of marginalised voices, such as those of lesbians and bisexual women (Tang, 2007)

Summary

Introduction

An ‘insider’ is a researcher who personally belongs to the group to which their participants belong (based on characteristics such as ethnicity, sexual identity and gender), while an ‘outsider’ is not a member of that group (Gair, 2012). We discuss and reflect upon our different positions as an insider and an outsider in interview research with lesbian and bisexual women.

Results

Conclusion