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Qualitative Research
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Negotiating the politics of identity in an interdisciplinary research team

Lorelei Lingard

University of Toronto, Canada, lorelei.lingard{at}utoronto.ca

Catherine F. Schryer

University of Waterloo, Canada, cschryer{at}watarts.uwaterloo.com

Marlee M. Spafford

University of Waterloo, Canada, mspaffor{at}uwaterloo.ca

Sandra L. Campbell

University of Waterloo, Canada, selcampb{at}renison.uwaterloo.ca

This article explores the politics of identity in an interdisciplinary health research team that has been engaged in a qualitative research program for over five years. We draw on sociological theories of power and knowledge to explore our experiences of identity conflict, team socialization, and knowledge production. Structurally, our article integrates individual and group perspectives through personal narratives and collaborative critique as we explore the complex negotiations required to realize and maintain our team dynamic. These negotiations take place not only with one another as particularly positioned individuals, but also with the ideological and organizational forces that structure our scholarly worlds. We conclude with articulating `lessons learned' that we hope will enable other interdisciplinary research teams to realize the rich potential of their collaborative qualitative work.

Key Words: health research • identity • interdisciplinarity • knowledge production • qualitative research teams

References

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Qualitative Research, Vol. 7, No. 4, 501-519 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1468794107082305
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This Article
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