The article explores the complex role of qualitative researchers as both insiders and outsiders in their studies. It discusses the dual nature of researcher membership, highlighting the strengths and challenges of being an insider or an outsider. The authors, Sonya Corbin Dwyer and Jennifer L. Buckle, share their experiences as qualitative researchers, illustrating how their membership status affects their research. Sonya, an insider, conducted research with White parents of children adopted from Asia, while Jennifer, an outsider, studied bereaved parents. Both acknowledge the impact of their membership status on their research, including potential biases and the need for reflexivity. The article emphasizes that being an insider can provide a sense of trust and access to participants, but it may also lead to over-identification and bias. Conversely, being an outsider allows for a more objective perspective but may result in a lack of understanding. The authors argue that the dichotomy of insider versus outsider is overly simplistic and that a more nuanced approach is needed. They propose the concept of the "space between," which allows researchers to occupy both positions, acknowledging the complexity of human experience and the need for reflexivity. The authors also discuss the importance of being open, authentic, and committed to accurately representing participants' experiences, regardless of membership status. They suggest that the core ingredient in qualitative research is not insider or outsider status, but the ability to be deeply interested in the participants' experiences. The article concludes that qualitative researchers must be aware of the potential biases and influences of their position, and that the space between insider and outsider is essential for a more comprehensive understanding of the research topic.The article explores the complex role of qualitative researchers as both insiders and outsiders in their studies. It discusses the dual nature of researcher membership, highlighting the strengths and challenges of being an insider or an outsider. The authors, Sonya Corbin Dwyer and Jennifer L. Buckle, share their experiences as qualitative researchers, illustrating how their membership status affects their research. Sonya, an insider, conducted research with White parents of children adopted from Asia, while Jennifer, an outsider, studied bereaved parents. Both acknowledge the impact of their membership status on their research, including potential biases and the need for reflexivity. The article emphasizes that being an insider can provide a sense of trust and access to participants, but it may also lead to over-identification and bias. Conversely, being an outsider allows for a more objective perspective but may result in a lack of understanding. The authors argue that the dichotomy of insider versus outsider is overly simplistic and that a more nuanced approach is needed. They propose the concept of the "space between," which allows researchers to occupy both positions, acknowledging the complexity of human experience and the need for reflexivity. The authors also discuss the importance of being open, authentic, and committed to accurately representing participants' experiences, regardless of membership status. They suggest that the core ingredient in qualitative research is not insider or outsider status, but the ability to be deeply interested in the participants' experiences. The article concludes that qualitative researchers must be aware of the potential biases and influences of their position, and that the space between insider and outsider is essential for a more comprehensive understanding of the research topic.