Insider vs. outsider

[Jean Bartunek]

> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 1997 16:04:51 -0400
> From: Elizabeth Ptasznik <Elizabeth_P...@inet.hwc.ca>
> Subject: Insider versus outsider
>
> A group of us have been discussing whether within the qualitative process it
is
> better to be an "insider" and know the group you are studying or whether you
> should be an "outsider" and not be involved with your group of collaborators.
> Is there a preferred method of involvement with your collaborators or does it
> depend on what you are studying? Are there any references anyone can
recommend?
> Any comments?
> Thanks for your input. Elizabeth
>
>
From my perspective, it isn't necessarily "better" to be either an
insider or outsider. I co-authored a book with Meryl Louis (Sage
qualitative methods series, 1996) on insider-outsider joint research.
Out sense is that it's often most productive for insiders to a setting
and outside researchers to collaborate with each other to study the
setting; it brings two different perspectives together (and from my
experience, they really are two very different perspectives). part of
what makes a difference in being an insider or outsider is which
audience you want to speak to. outsiders generally know academic
discourse better than outsiders. But there are a number of efforts in
multiple fields in which people have been simultaneously insiders and
outsiders, knowing both the insiders' ways and language and the
outsiders' (usually academic) language. Though this might create some
interesting role conflicts in the person involved, it also can provide
some very powerful insights.

Jean Bartunek
bart...@bc.edu
Boston College

[Jim Thomas]

> A group of us have been discussing whether within the qualitative process it
is
> better to be an "insider" and know the group you are studying or whether you
> should be an "outsider" and not be involved with your group of collaborators.

Participatory research is arguably the most intensive form of
"insider" research, and the PAR discussion group would be one helpful
resource. I don't have the address at hand, but the moderator (Bob Dick)
is on this list, and perhaps he could provide it.

jt

[Bob Dick]

I think Jim Thomas is talking about arlist. To subscribe to it,
you send the email message
subscribe ARLIST-L Your Name
(e.g. subscribe ARLIST-L Hillary Clinton)
to list...@scu.edu.au

There are links to other PAR and action research and similar
resources at the following web site

http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/sawd/ari/ar.html

>Participatory research is arguably the most intensive form of
>"insider" research, and the PAR discussion group would be one helpful
>resource. I don't have the address at hand, but the moderator (Bob Dick)
>is on this list, and perhaps he could provide it.

--

+-- Bob Dick ----------------------------------------------+
| b...@psy.uq.edu.au For action research resources see |
| http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/sawd/ari/ar.html |
+------------------------------------------------------------+