Violencia de género en la pareja vivida por los adolescentes

154 Researchers who belong to the same population of a study are often referred to

‘cultural insider’. It is complex to understand the identity and the multiplicity of participants in a particular cultural context and the insider researcher often has an advantage in data collection (Hodkinson, 2005). However, not everyone agrees and there is considerable debate about the advantages and disadvantages of cultural insider vis-à-vis cultural outsider research. Dwyer (2009) suggests that arguments highlighting that being a cultural insider may increase the influence of the researcher’s perspectives fail to acknowledge that outsider influence may also impact perspectives. Dwyer, further claims that cultural insider studies do not influence the research process negatively especially since in-depth reflection of the subjective research process and awareness of one’s own biases reduce researcher bias. While one does not have to be a member of the group under investigation, the ability to be open, honest and having a genuine interest in the experience of the participants may help in appreciating cultural nuance. My own view is that given the subject of my research is inextricably linked to a specific social and cultural context; being rooted within the culture of Nepal was a significant advantage in gaining access to the participants, managing challenges and, in being able to ask sensitive questions.

One of the benefits to being a member of the group of the study population is acceptance and it how this contributes to trust and openness (Dwyer, 2009). Also, the advantage of being a cultural insider for me, was in negotiating the practical aspects of the research process such as access and also, in establishing rapport (Hodkinson, 2005). Cultural insiders have an advantage because they are able to use their knowledge of the group of the study (such as language and cultural knowledge) to gain more intimate insights into participants’ perspectives. As, Dwyer (2009) suggests, the cultural insider can achieve more successful and productive interactions with participants, increase the opportunity for realisation of the research goals and can help to minimise potential difficulties. Nevertheless, as I explained at the beginning of this chapter, being an insider is not a status one can take for granted and neither is it fixed. I realised this from the interest the

155 young people showed in me; they appraised the situation to determine whether I was to be allowed inside the group and the extent to which they involved

themselves in my study. The way they talked to me and the way they approached me was helpful for the data collection procedure, however perhaps the most significant factor which illustrated my insider status was the way in which young people protected me from the harm of others (as described earlier). Being a cultural insider meant that I was more in tune with subjective hunches and intuition. For example I thought I should become quiet and soft with the girl who showed me a blade, and I also became quiet with the girl who shouted at me and did not allow me to enter the park; I believed that the quiet submissive female voice was more likely, to reflect my cultural belonging than an aggressive posture.

In positioning myself as a cultural insider, this was therefore not only important for the research but also helped me in managing the difficulties I encountered during the data collection process. I understood the challenge of having a dual role as researcher and also as a member of the same population to which my research participants belonged. As we share the same culture, I knew that talking about sex and sexuality freely was culturally sensitive. I anticipated that participants would be hesitant in the interviews and that information on the subjects related to sex and sexuality might be influenced by these cultural considerations. Knowledge of this meant that I took extensive precautions to ensure that the balance between my researcher role and my role as upholder of cultural values was maintained.

Finding a way to work creatively is necessary in both cultural insider and cultural outsider research (Dwyer, 2009). Given the consideration mentioned above, I adopted a creative approach. I brought up the topic in a sensitive manner, and followed spontaneous leads from the research participants to ask further questions.

I asked children the issues around sex in a very simple manner, showing that I accepted their experiences, but without showing any impression of surprise, excitement or protest in their answers. I also paid attention to levels of comfort by observing body language and non-verbal communication. I believed my

interpersonal behaviour was not only concerned with gathering information but

156 that my position as a cultural insider, played a significant role throughout the research process and helped to establish credibility (Rabbitt, 2003).

5.5 Summary of the Chapter

This chapter has presented my reflections of the research process. It has referred to how my feelings, actions and interpretations were applied during the research process and how these influences impacted on the product of the research. I positioned myself as a partial insider researcher who was also a cultural insider and I have explained how these terms are not simple constructions of a

researcher’s identity but mirror the fluid and changing identities and groupings of the research participants. This reflexive process has been summarised in this chapter but as explained from the outset, my reflections of observations, feelings, actions and interpretations have been demonstrated throughout the research process, from the initial selection of the research topic to analysis of the results.

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6 AN ETHNOGRAPHY: OBSERVATION OF STREET CHILDREN