Praktijkervaringen met ‘researcher-participant positionality’ in gerontologisch migratieonderzoek: een intersectionele bril als handvat

Abstract

Field experiences with 'researcher-participant positionality' in gerontological migration research: An intersectional lens as a tool. As a result of (labour) migration streams and globalization, our population is becoming more diverse. This is not only in terms of migration background but also in terms of other sources of diversity such as age, gender, housing, place of residence, and language. Therefore, it is important for researchers , especially in qualitative research, to be aware of their positionality towards participants regarding these sources of diversity. To do so, the literature often refers to the distinction between being an 'insider' or 'outsider'. However, such a static notion does not suffice to capture the dynamic nature of researcher-participant positionality throughout an interview. Hence, in this article, I will discuss my experiences of dynamic and subjective positionality in qualitative research with older migrants. Based on this, I refer to intersectionality as a lens and tool that can be used to become aware of researcher-participant positionality during data collection and analysis.

In deze rubriek gaat het om verhalen over en/of reflecties op de ervaring met methodische, praktische, politieke, morele en wie weet esthetische problemen waar onderzoekers in de praktijk mee te maken krijgen. Abstract Field experiences with 'researcher-participant positionality' in gerontological migration research: An intersectional lens as a tool. As a result of (labour) migration streams and globalization, our population is becoming more diverse. This is not only in terms of migration background but also in terms of other sources of diversity such as age, gender, housing, place of residence, and language. Therefore, it is important for researchers , especially in qualitative research, to be aware of their positionality towards participants regarding these sources of diversity. To do so, the literature often refers to the distinction between being an 'insider' or 'outsider'. However, such a static notion does not suffice to capture the dynamic nature of researcher-participant positionality throughout an interview. Hence, in this article, I will discuss my experiences of dynamic and subjective positionality in qualitative research with older migrants. Based on this, I refer to intersectionality as a lens and tool that can be used to become aware of researcher-participant positionality during data collection and analysis.