Role of the Researcher

In qualitative research, the researcher plays a central and active role throughout the study. Qualitative research views the researcher as the primary instrument for data collection and interpretation. This means the researcher is directly involved in interviewing participants, observing behavior, interpreting meaning, and identifying patterns. As a result, their background, beliefs, and presence can shape every stage of the research process—intentionally or unintentionally.

Because of this, reflexivity is a key part of ethical and rigorous qualitative research. Reflexivity involves examining how the researcher’s identity, assumptions, values, and relationship to participants may influence the research. Researchers practice reflexivity by keeping reflective journals, memoing, and an audit trail—a transparent record of decisions made during the study. These tools help the researcher track their thought processes, document emerging ideas, and support the trustworthiness of the findings. By being transparent about their role, researchers can strengthen the credibility of their work and demonstrate respect for the complexity of human experience. For more information on these topics please see chapter 13 of this text.