The Researcher is Somebody: Positionality in Catholic Education Research
摘要
This chapter explores the positionality of Catholic researchers undertaking qualitative research in Catholic schools, particularly, though not exclusively, master’s and doctoral students and other novice researchers. It examines the place of researcher positionality in Catholic-on-Catholic research in Catholic schools. This is rarely foregrounded, and I argue that its centrality in this research is imperative and ought not to be ignored (Olukoton et al. in Qual Rep 26:1411–1426, 2021). Firstly, I will problematise the role of the researcher within the discourse of insider/outsider within the Catholic school context and consider the specificity of their position. Secondly, I will argue that it is imperative for the Catholic school researcher to foreground their positionality and prioritise reflexivity throughout the research process. Finally, I will make recommendations for researchers.