Qualitative insider research in government

What is it about?

This article reflects on what it is like to conduct qualitative research inside a government organization where the researcher also works. Using the author’s experience researching policy capacity in the Government of Prince Edward Island, it discusses the opportunities and challenges of being an “insider” researcher. Insider researchers may have useful background knowledge, relationships, and access, but they also need to manage issues such as role confusion, power dynamics, confidentiality, and assumptions about what they already know. The article offers practical lessons for researchers studying their own workplaces, especially in public sector settings.

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Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This article is important because it helps researchers think carefully about what it means to study an organization from the inside. Insider researchers may benefit from access, trust, and practical knowledge, but they also face challenges related to confidentiality, role boundaries, power, and assumptions about what they already know. By reflecting on qualitative research conducted inside a government institution, the article offers practical lessons for researchers working in familiar organizational settings. It is especially useful for public servants, students, evaluators, and qualitative researchers who want to study workplaces or institutions they already know while maintaining ethical and credible research practice.