Being methodologically self-conscious in qualitative health research: Examining positionality as a moment in time

Models of positionality tend to focus on the researcher’s paradigm and how they interpret the world around them, but less emphasis has been placed on the concept of time as a methodological lens. The following commentary examines what it takes to embrace such an approach—making use of three components of positionality (identity, power and context) as a framework for examining qualitative inquiry. It is proposed that one of the conditions for validity in qualitative inquiry is for the researcher to embrace positionality as a moment in time. This approach will help qualitative health researchers make purposive methodological choices so that they can find an approach that is ‘right for them’ rather than ‘right per se’. Further, a model that outlines the components of methodological self-consciousness is offered, to support the qualitative health researcher in deciding the approach that is ‘right for now’.