Outsider on the inside: A first person account of the research process in a further education college

Abstract

An autobiographical and reflexive account of some recent research in a further education college is given. Particular aspects of the study are described, including the experiences of being inside the institution, of collecting the data and of establishing relationships in the field. Reflection on these experiences leads the author to conclude that her data were directly affected by the personal, political and procedural issues identified and that she learned much about the research process, particularly about negotiating access and about her own role as a researcher in this context. There is a brief consideration of what her experiences might mean for others engaged in research in and on further education. © 1999 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.