The Importance of Positionality for Qualitative Researchers

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v18i01.67553

Keywords:

critical reflection, positionality, qualitative research, reflexivity, research methods, social sciences

Abstract

Qualitative researchers are required to be critically reflective and explain to readers their positionality on their work. This account can be relatively straightforward, but there are occasions when this process of reflection and outlining one’s positionality is much more complicated. This method-paper explains this process. It outlines, using examples of different occasions and situations, where and why such complications may arise, for example, around values and personal experiences. It concludes with further practical advice on writing the section on positionality for novice social scientists.

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Author Biographies

Hannah Gurr, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, UK

Hannah Gurr, is a practising Social Worker in the South of England, and postgraduate student in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, UK

Louise Oliver, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, UK

Louise Oliver, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7753-0451 is trained Social Worker and lecturer in Social Work in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, UK

Orlanda Harvey, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, UK

Orlanda Harvey, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0771-3524 is lecturer in Social Work in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, UK

Madhusudan Subedi, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal

Madhusudan Subedi, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6495-0601 is a Medical Sociologist /Anthropologist and a Professor at Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal.

Edwin van Teijlingen, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, UK

Edwin van Teijlingen, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5523-8583, is a Medical Sociologist and co-director Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health, in the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, UK. He is also Visiting Professor at Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences in Kathmandu, Nepal; Nobel College, Kathmandu, Nepal; the University of Nottingham, UK; and Centre for Disability Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India.

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Published

2024-06-30

How to Cite

Gurr, H., Oliver, L., Harvey, O., Subedi, M., & van Teijlingen, E. (2024). The Importance of Positionality for Qualitative Researchers. Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 18(01), 48–54. https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v18i01.67553

Issue

Vol. 18 (2024)

Section

Research Methodology

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Copyright (c) 2024 The Author(s)

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