Starting out in the qualitative research fieldwork

To effectively embody these principles, researchers often utilise diaries (or journals), which serve as a key tool in this process. This chapter focuses on the art, craft and acts of doing ; these diaries offer a structured approach for exploring positionality and engaging in reflexivity, enabling researchers to consider how their personal background, beliefs and identity (positionality) influence the research process. This chapter will also provide the opportunity to track how different researchers critically examine biases, assumptions and reactions to participants or data (reflexivity), reflecting on how these evolve throughout the research journey. By being intentional about one’s positionality, engaging in reflexivity and utilising researcher diaries, researchers can develop a thoughtful and ethical approach to qualitative research, which enriches both the research process and the knowledge it generates. The chapter also contains a research vignette exploring a narrative journey of the diary development process for a PhD student engaging in IPA.