Off the record? Insider research in EAP

Abstract

Insider research, where the researcher has a connection with the field researched, is often conducive to capturing rich contextualised data which provides practical solutions based on the reality of the situation on the ground. However, while the risks of insider research have been widely discussed in higher education, EAP as a discipline tends to exploit rather than critique the phenomenon. A reflective vignette of my own insider research, an enquiry into collaboration between professional services colleagues and EAP practitioners, provides a lens to explore the methodological and ethical tensions. The strengths of insider research are acknowledged, particularly the benefits of maximum contextualisation, before addressing concerns, not least the risk of over-interpretation, and discussing potential mitigation strategies. The article concludes with a number of interventions which can render insider research in an EAP context more robust.