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Toward multi-dimensional and developmental notion of researcher positionality
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to argue for a multi-dimensional and developmental notion of researcher positionality in conducting qualitative research, in lieu of the dichotomous notion of outsider and insider. The former emphasizes the agentive role researchers play in knowledge production, whereas the latter has been much challenged as oversimplified and insufficient in understanding the dynamic interactions in which field researchers engage. Design/methodology/approach: The paper borrows Milner’s (2007) four-level framework of research personality to reflect on one cross-cultural narrative inquiry study. Findings: Reflective stories revealed that researcher positionality captures threads of intersectionality as well as inter- and intra-personal dynamics, and thus better informs the research process than what concept of insider/outsider dichotomy can do. Research limitations/implications: The paper enriches the discussion of research positionality in qualitative research by involving a cross-cultural study where the researcher moved to-and-fro two sites. Practical implications: The paper suggests a methodological and practical way of raising researcher’s awareness and agency relative to positionality by exposing the researcher to cross-cultural settings. Originality/value: While the multi-dimensional aspect of researcher positionality and its relatedness to research findings has been much discussed, not much acknowledgment has been given to the developmental aspect of research positionality.
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“it has been noted that the insider / outsider definition is not a strict binary one, but has a degree of fluidity to it (Lu and Hodge, 2019).”
From A GROUNDED THEORY EXPLORATION OF WELLBEING FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY DISPLACED AS A RESULT OF TRAUMA CAUSED BY CONFLICT, BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPANTS LIVING IN UGANDA (2025) · cites this paper as Lu and Hodge, 2019
In the citing paper
“Positionality and personal history of the researcher therefore play a central role in all parts of the research process.”
From A GROUNDED THEORY EXPLORATION OF WELLBEING FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY DISPLACED AS A RESULT OF TRAUMA CAUSED BY CONFLICT, BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPANTS LIVING IN UGANDA (2025) · cites this paper as Lu and Hodge, 2019
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References 22 · Cited by 32
Research works printed but not linked: 29
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Metadata
- Authors
- Lu, H., & Hodge, W. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Hong Kong (HK)
- University of North Florida (US)
- ORCID
- Lu, Hangyan
- Venue
- Qualitative Research Journal
- Publisher
- Emerald
- Published
- 2019-07-24
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 225-235
- ISSN
- 1443-9883 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2948435143
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 3.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Qualitative Research Journal (publishedVersion)
- University of North Florida Digital Commons (University of North Florida) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative research in health
- Keywords
- researcher positionality, insider/outsider dichotomy, intersectionality, researcher agency, cross-cultural research, narrative inquiry, reflexivity, knowledge production, fieldwork
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