Who Reveals what to whom? Critical Reflections on Conducting Qualitative Inquiry as an Interdisciplinary, Biracial, Male/Female Research Team

Abstract

If qualitative inquiry seeks to understand and explain the meaning of social phenomena, then what is the influence of social interactions between researchers in this process? In seeking to understand social constructions of reality, how do racial and gender identities influence qualitative fieldwork? What unique insights can be gained by conducting qualitative research in interdisciplinary research teams? Does a biracial, male/female research team confer legitimacy when the research seeks to uncover experiences related to race and gender? The authors address these questions as they critically reflect and report on their experiences while conducting qualitative research as an interdisciplinary, biracial, male/female research team for a university retention study.