ABSTRACT

In summary, what the contributors in this volume illustrate are some of the possibilities and potentialities that accompany insider research. Despite some pitfalls, which the contributors deal with frankly and sensitively, inside researchers readily know the language of those being studied along with its particular jargon and meanings, are more likely to empathise with those they study because of in-depth understanding of them, are less likely to foster distrust and hostility amongst those they study, are often more willing to discuss private knowledge with those who are personally part of their world, are often more likely to understand the events under investigation and are less likely to be afflicted by outsiders’ arrogance where researchers fail to understand what they observe. Inside researchers find that those they study are often more likely to volunteer information to them than they would to outsiders.