Insiders, Outsiders, and Credible Visitors in Research

Bibliographic Data

ID6100738
AuthorsAlesha Porisky (0000-0002-2308-9285, Northern Illinois University), Aarie Glas (0000-0002-7729-9755, Northern Illinois University)
Year2023
Volume56
Issue1
Pages51-55
Publication date2023-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePS Political Science & Politics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-0965 • E-ISSN: 1537-5935
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1049096522001172
OpenAlexW4304889754
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited24

There is a growing consensus around both the importance of researcher positionality for the conduct of research and the intersectional and variable salience of positionality and its effects. However, at the same time, static assumptions of “insider” and “outsider” status prevail. This article presents a productive and two-fold intervention in these discussions. First, we show that the insider/outsider distinction is fraught on logistical and conceptual grounds. Relying on our experiences in conducting interview research from rural villages to diplomatic offices, we show that these elements of status are fluid and dynamic. Second, we suggest an alternative to this dichotomy through the aspirational status of a “credible visitor.” We define this as a performative aspect of positionality founded on humility and reflexivity and enacted through showcasing competence and engaging in transparency. We describe how this approach to performing status may facilitate access as well as fruitful and ethical research interactions

Complicity · Conceptual framework · Epistemology · Humility · Indigenous · Insider · Performative utterance · Political science · Public relations · Reflexivity · Social science · Sociology · Ethics in Clinical Research · Law · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychology · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics