An Analysis of Reflections on Researcher Positionality

Authors

• Oluwatoyin Olukotun, University of PortlandFollow
• Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South AfricaFollow
• Jeri Antilla, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WIFollow
• Faten Alfaifa, Jazan University, Gizan, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Jennifer Weitzel, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WIFollow
• Victoria Scheer, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WIFollow
• Mary Olukotun, University of Alberta, AlbertaFollow
• Dr. Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WIFollow

Abstract

Reflexivity is a central tenet of qualitative research. Engaging in self-reflexive praxis allows researchers to identify areas of tension in the research process that need to be further deconstructed. In this paper, we draw on our collective self-reflective experiences as qualitative health researchers whose scholarship is informed by critical and postcolonial feminist epistemologies to offer some guidance on how to approach the concept of insider versus outsider in the research process. Specifically, we analyze recurring methodological tensions related to positionality and outline how they were addressed. The lessons learned from our studies can be instructive to other qualitative researchers.

Keywords

qualitative research, methodology, reflexivity, critical epistemologies

Author Bio(s)

Oluwatoyin Olukotun, PhD, RN is with the School of Nursing at the University of Portland, 5000 N Willamette Blvd, Portland, OR 97203. Please direct correspondence to [email protected].

Elizabeth Mkandawire, PhD is with the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Wellbeing, at the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. Please direct correspondence to [email protected].

Jeri Antilla, PhD, MSN-Ed., RNC-OB is with the College of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Please direct correspondence to [email protected].

Faten Alfaifa, PhD, MSN, RN is with the College of Nursing, Gizan, Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Please direct correspondence to [email protected].

Jennifer Weitzel, MS, RN is with the College of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Please direct correspondence to [email protected].

Victoria Scheer, PhD, RN is with College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Pease direct correspondence to [email protected].

Mary Olukotun, BSN, RN is Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. Please direct correspondence to [email protected].

Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, PhD, RN, is with the College of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Please direct correspondence to [email protected].

Publication Date

5-2-2021

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Recommended APA Citation

Olukotun, O., Mkandawire, E., Antilla, J., Alfaifa, F., Weitzel, J., Scheer, V., Olukotun, M., & Mkandawire-Valhmu, D. (2021). An Analysis of Reflections on Researcher Positionality. The Qualitative Report, 26(5), 1411-1426. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4613