Abstract
Scholars have emphasized reflexivity as a key practice for addressing potential biases and enhancing the credibility of research. Although reflexivity has been recognized as essential to qualitative rigor, limited attention has been given to its theoretical integration with broader social identity processes, particularly in non-conventional settings. This manuscript extends social identity theory and demonstrates how the insider/outsider model adds additional layer of complexity to the understanding of researcher identity negotiation. In this study, the researcher used an autoethnographic approach to examine the experiences of an able-bodied researcher conducting research in adaptive sport settings and featuring adaptive athletes. Strategies that emerged through the reflective practice included immersion in the research setting, respecting participant boundaries, maintaining curiosity, and awareness of positionality. Engaging in reflective practices is not a one-time acknowledgment but rather a continuous process that enhances transparency and the credibility of qualitative inquiry. Researchers are also encouraged regardless of where they are in their career to use autoethnography as a tool for critical reflection in their research practices.
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